The Adventist Advantage

48 Pages·2009·6.42 MB·English

Northwest Adventists in Action
august 2009, Vol. 104, No. 8
CognitiveGenesis
The Adventist Advantage
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I m a g e s o f C r e a t i o n
e stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
Psalm 107:29 (NIV)
“Glacier Purity” by Dean Huggins of Newman Lake, Washington.
H
I n t h i s i s s u e
Feature
Editorial
4 Is it Legalistic to be
Ready?
5
Did You Know
10
World News Briefs

ACCION
12 Mensaje de Sandra
Juárez, Directora de
Esperanza TV
News
13 Alaska
14 Idaho
15 Montana
16 Oregon
20 Upper Columbia
24 Washington
27 NW Adventist Schools
30 Northwest News
32 Walla Walla University
33 Adventist Health
34
Family
35
FYI
6 38
Announcements
39
Advertisements

Let’s Talk
46 Of Apricots and
Christians
Health
HealthyChoices
Northwest Adventists in Action
with
37
Dr.DonHall Oregon and Romanian august 2009, Vol. 104, No. 8
Adventist Men's Choruses
Eat for Your Health sing from the balcony of
Romania's famous Black
Sitting May Be Hazardous to Your Health
Church cathedral during
their combined tour. Read
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AUGUST 2009, Vol. 104, No. 8 wwwwww..GGlleeaanneerrOOnnlliinnee..oorrgg
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august 2009 • gleaner 3
E d i t o r i a l
Is it Legalistic
to be Ready?
I
“It seems to me recently remembered a parable I first heard anyone could remember. The bride was a vision.
from C. Mervyn Maxwell. As I recall, the story The entire wedding party was excited and waiting
that legalism involves two fictional characters called Gary and in joyful anticipation — everyone, except Orville.
Orville. By the time Orville burst onto the scene, the
is not so much
Gary was tall, athletic — a 4.0 GPA pre-med mood had changed, and the eyes of his bride were
student. He had lots of friends who admired his as red as her roses. He was an hour and fifteen
what you do as
attention to detail. Everything Gary had was minutes late! Worse, he was wearing a faded sports
maintained in perfect condition — car washed outfit that didn’t match. Part of his last meal was
why you do it.”
and waxed; assignments done well and on time; attached to his shirt, and his unpolished shoes were
never tardy to class. In fact, everything he did was ripped open at the seams.
organized and well done. Orville sidled up to his sweetheart, kissed her
On his wedding day, Gary got ready in his cheek, and explained: “Sorry to keep you waiting,
customary style. Nothing but the best was good honey, but you know how I am. I always have to
enough for the most wonderful girl on earth. He see how the Mariners come out. They won, too,” he
rented tuxedos — even re-pressed the left pant leg added. “Three runs in the bottom of the ninth!
in front to correct a double crease two inches from “When it was over,” he continued, “I suddenly
the top. He bought new shoes, and then polished realized how late it was, and so I came just as I
the soles so they would look good to was. Shall we let the preacher know we’re ready
the audience when he knelt for the to go?”
wedding prayer. Now, I don’t mean to imply that detail-driven
Gary arrived at church 45 minutes perfectionists make ideal husbands — this is only
early. When his bride caught a a parable. But these contrasting characters create
glimpse of him talking to the pastor, some interesting questions. Was Gary a “legalist”
she smiled. What a lucky girl I am, because he made a point of getting ready on time?
she thought, to have a guy who lets Was Orville the “real Christian” because he trusted
everyone know how proud he is to his relationship to make up for his carelessness?
marry me! Does this parable shed any light on familiar words
But then there was Orville. from Ellen White who encouraged us to “jealously
Orville had his ups and downs. He, too, guard the edges of the Sabbath.” She suggested we
won the heart of a beautiful girl. “She’s should lay secular work aside and pull our families
too good for him,” many people said. But together “to read God’s word, to sing and pray.”
Orville was not altogether a bad person. Ellen White, Testimonies to the Church, vol. 6, p.
He was sometimes very lovable. And 356.
there was no doubt he needed a Being ready for the Sabbath, or almost any
dependable woman if he was good thing, can become a kind of legalism. But
to get anywhere in life. it seems to me that legalism is not so much what
On Orville’s you do as why you do it. And if our motives are joy
wedding day, and love and gratitude, then punctual readiness
the church was for the Sabbath isn’t legalism, but rather loving
decorated more anticipation of a longed-for appointment with a
beautifully than very special Friend. •
Max Torkelsen II
North Pacific Union Conference president
4
R
omania
At a Glance
Size: 91,725 square miles
This issue of the Gleaner features
PoPulation: 21,400,000
the Oregon Adventist Men’s
The Palace of Parliament, located in Bucharest, is the
Chorus’ trip to Romania. Here largest office building in Europe and second-largest in
the world, after the U.S. Pentagon
is some information about their
In 1899, the Romanian city of Timisoara became the first in
European destination.
Europe to have electric street lighting.
Romanian Gymnast Nadia Comaneci received the first
score of 10 in an Olympic gymnastics event.
Source: www.romaniatourism.com
Cindy’s Garden Blog MAXimum Perspectives
Cindy’s Garden Blog takes work gloves and a Follow Max Torkelsen, NPUC president,
trowel and digs into a variety of family, life and on the job as he travels thoughout the
spiritual topics. Authored by Cindy Chamberlin, Northwest and beyond. Stay informed
Gleaner managing editor, it will grow your joy, about what your president is up to and
fertilize your faith and point you toward the read about how he sees God at work
Master Gardener. everywhere he goes.
These and more at: www.gleaneronline.org
aMuagruCsHt 22000099 •• gglleeaanneerr
F e a t u r e
m
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at
St
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One of the most valuable
portions of the concert tour
proves to be time spent
together on buses between
locations. Here, videographer
Ron Pestes (second from
left with microphone) leads
one group in prayer before
heading towards the next
destination. MiSSion to RoMania
“All the
Ralph Stathem hopes, dreams
miracles
and
prayed for … came
together in four-part
harmony.”
6 gleaner • august 2009
F e a t u r e
m
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h
at
St
h
p
s al
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The combined Oregon and Roma-
nian choruses, along with orchestral
musicians, most professionals from
the local symphony orchestra, fill the
stage at the magnificent concert hall
ince its inception in 1994, Lou
in Târgu Mures.
Wildman, Oregon Adventist Men’s Chorus
conductor, has always believed the group’s
mission is more than just music. “God
brings us together for ministry,” he says
thoughtfully, “and that ministry happens in
ways of God’s doing, far beyond what we
could ever imagine.”
Their recent mission to Romania is yet
another confirmation of God’s leading
through a series of remarkably divine ap-
By steve vistaunet
MiSSion to RoMania pointments. American and Romanian singers
The initial invitation came follow- of all different ages fill the stage.
ing the group’s appearance at the 2000 The youngest singer, 13-year-old
Mircea who took a week off from
General Conference session in Toronto.
his Romanian school to travel; the
The request from one of Romania’s
oldest, Norman Skeels from Walla
conference presidents sounded much like Walla, Wash.
the Macedonian call to the apostle Paul,
“Come over and help us.” And, like
Paul, Lou knew this opportunity
would take faith — a lot of it.
Alin joined the OAMC group during the
A Divine Connection five years he was in the United States.
But even at that early stage, There on the risers, in the midst of the
God was forging another music, he felt a vision welling up inside
critical connection in the heart — to duplicate the men’s chorus ministry
of Alin Apostol, a young experience in his home country.
Romanian man. While a stu- Upon his graduation and return to
dent at Walla Walla College, Romania as a pastor, Alin began organiz-
ing men in local churches to recreate what
had so impressed him during his con-
nection with OAMC. The first year, only
50 men gathered for a festival. He was
disheartened — he had hoped for so much
m more.
e
ath Then he echoed the invitation to Lou
St
h and the OAMC — “Please come over and
p
Ral help us.” Lou’s initial thought was, “We
can’t go to Romania. Where would we get
the time, or the money?” And then, he
says, “I decided we should just let the
Lord provide the answers.”
At the concert in Bacau, Marius
Munteanu, Moldova Conference
president, and Lou Wildman, chorus
conductor, invite the Holy Spirit to
turn music into ministry.
august 2009 • gleaner 7
F e a t u r e
el
m
m
u
P
k
c
Ri
Lou recalled former North Pacific Union
Conference president Bruce Johnston’s challenge
years before: “What do you say when the Lord says,
With a backdrop of Peles Castle in ‘Go’? You say, ‘Yes, Sir!’ and you go.”
Sinaia, Romania, OAMC member John And so, they went. The OAMC group arrived in
Korb (left) takes a break with Andy Romania in time for the Eastern Orthodox Easter sea-
Ciser, a student from Bucharest. Ciser
son in mid-April. They brought their musical ministry
is studying television production and
to a country still burdened with the lingering results
hopes to eventually join the Romanian
Adventist television ministry. of Communism, but with a long and rich heritage of
choral music.
Immediately, the singers from both continents began
to blend into a brotherhood of voices during two days
of rehearsals at the Adventist seminary in Cernica. “At
A Matter of Faith
that first rehearsal,” writes OAMC member John Korb,
And so a couple years later, through countless e- “200 men from two choruses, from two continents
mails, phone calls and prayers, plans were made. The thousands of miles apart, finally joined together in
day came when the OAMC planning committee saw praise to God. At that moment, all the hopes, dreams
they had 100 people signed up, with airfare paid to go, and miracles prayed for since our first invitation to
but no resources to feed them, transport them or pay Romania more than ten years ago came together in
for concert halls. four-part harmony.”
Lou prayed, “Lord, we’ve put our feet in the water,
and we’re now up to our knees. Could you part the From Strangers to Family
waters a bit?” And the answers started to come from all Initially, the Romanian men had planned to join the
directions. For instance, volunteers sold 32,000 pounds first couple of concerts and again at the end. There
of apples with proceeds going to help the project. By were no funds to support the combined groups for the
the time of their departure, all the needed funds were whole tour. But, as Lou puts it, “The Lord opened the
in hand. storehouse of heaven.” And for the entire time, through
performances in Galati, Bacau, Iasi, Botosani, Târgu
Mures, Brasov and Bucharest, both groups shared
seats together on the buses, roomed together and ate
together. Men who didn’t speak the same language,
communicated with each other, sang and prayed with
each other. “And when we went home,” Lou adds, “we
felt like we were leaving family behind.”
Throughout Romania,
overflow audiences
responded
grand musical ministry.
to
8 gleaner • august 2009
F e a t u r e
m
e
ph Stathem Ralph Stath
al
R
No concert hall needed—Alin
Apostol leads the combined
group in a spontaneous song
in a Botosani city park.
The music was grand. Often chorus members felt as
though they had been joined by an angel choir. But as
During the concert in Galati, OAMC
OAMC members have reflected upon the journey, the conductor, Lou Wildman, shares the
most lasting memories are those international bonds spotlight with his Romanian counterpart,
of friendship forged during hours together; of life- Alin Apostol, former WWU student and
the inspiration behind the combined tour.
changing conversations and prayer.
Alin saw his dream come to life, as more than 200
men joined in the final festival concerts. What he likes
ReaD MoRe. See
to call the Romanian chapter of the Oregon Adventist
MoRe. HeaR MoRe.
Men’s Chorus, was given new energy and life.
While the OAMC also provided programming
See OAMC journals and photos of
for the widespread Adventist television and radio
their Romanian experience.
ministry throughout the country, and encouraged their
Romanian brothers and sisters through personal fel- Watch video clips of the trip.
lowship and sharing, they inevitably found their own
listen to an interview with Lou
faith and spiritual commitment strengthened beyond
Wildman and Alin Apostol.
measure.
As Pastor David Schmidt, OAMC president, puts it: Hear the combined
“In 1994, our vision was for one concert, one Easter chorus in concert.
weekend. God’s plan was for 15 years of ministry. We Do it all online at
never could have imagined that He would bring us to www.oamc.org.
Romania.”
More than ever before, Oregon Adventist Men’s
Chorus members ardently believe that through the me-
dium of music God has wrought a wonderful ministry,
and that He, indeed, is able to do “exceedingly abun-
dantly above all” that they could ever imagine. •
Steve Vistaunet, North Pacific Union Conference
assistant to the president for communication
The bell tower of the historic Black Church
cathedral in Brasov, claimed to be the largest
Throughout Romania, Gothic cathedral between Vienna and Istanbul.
This issue’s cover portrays the combined
overflow audiences men’s chorus singing from inside this cathe-
responded
dral during the tour.
grand musical ministry.
to
See expanded story and photos
at www.gleaneronline.org.
Ralph Stathem
august 2009 • gleaner 9
Jamaica
Former Church President Knighted
The first Seventh-day Adventist pastor to serve as governor-
general of Jamaica has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II
of England. Sir Patrick Allen served as president of the Inter-
American Division before accepting the post of governor-general
in February. Allen is now a Knight Commander of the Order of
St. Michael and St. George. The Order is “awarded to men and
women of high office, or who render extraordinary or important
non-military service in a foreign country,” according to the British
monarchy’s official Web site.
Source: Adventist News Network
Peru
Thousands Attend Religious Freedom Festival
Several of Peru’s national leaders praised the country’s
commitment to religious freedom during the world religious
liberty festival in June. A majority of the 40,000 supporters
were Seventh-day Adventists. The event in Lima was part
of a series of religious freedom festivals sponsored by the
Adventist Church and the International Religious Liberty
Association.
Source: Adventist News Network
NiGeria
Adventist University Excels
During a recent visit to Nigeria, Jan Paulsen, Seventh-
day Adventist world church president, participated in the
50th anniversary celebration of Babcock University, where
he once served as principal. Paulsen received numerous
commendations on the social, medical and educational
impact of the Adventist church from the nation’s leaders,
including both Nigeria’s vice president and a former president.
Approximately 60 percent of Babcock University’s students are
not members of the Adventist church.
Source: Adventist News Network
10 gleaner • august 2009