December 2006 S OUTHERN Spreading Tidings of the Southern Union Adventist Family Evangelism 12 Square Up With God 27 Bass Academy Restored 29 Educating Youth in Record Numbers Vantage Point Jesus, the Light of the World When I was a child–one day long ago and far away–I thought childish, imma- ture thoughts. I was tired of being a dependable, work-your-way-through-school, practice-the-piano teenager. I decided I wanted to be a street fighter. It was a new thought and a foolish thought, given I had zero experience in the street. But, I started paying attention when some of the other big guys would pick a fight and brawl on the ball field at Greater Miami Academy. I practiced shadow fighting in front of the mirror at home. The 130-pound guy in the mirror wasn’t in the least formidable; nevertheless, I had made my decision. I would no longer be virtuoso pianist and class pastor. I would become a street fighter. I saw a workout set of springs advertised that claimed, if I would stretch those springs faithfully every day, I would become muscular and strong. It was false advertising, but I felled for it. I ordered the set and began my training to become a street fighter. Finally I was ready for my debut, and on the way home from school, th at the bus stop on Flagler Street, waiting for the 57 Avenue bus, I picked a fight with the weakest guy in my class. John was a little taller, but I figured he weighed in about the same. I said something smart, and right in front of friends and by- Gordon Retzer standers I cocked my fist and threw the first (and last) punch of my fighting career. Southern Union John grabbed me by the neck and in one smooth and effortless move threw me to President the ground, and pinned me with one knee. He wanted to show me I was way out of my element. My only thought was, “Please get me out of here and let me find my piano.” I can truly say I matured that day to the thought, “be who you are, ac- cept who you are, in Jesus Christ.” God made us all unique, and we are to fit together in the body of Christ, His Church, complementing each other and focusing on the mission of telling people Jesus is coming again. We all can improve and try to be better at what we do, but trying to be something we’re not only creates tension and embarrassment. As Paul outlines in Romans 12:4-6, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us . . .” Yes, all of us are unique as created by God, yet there is sameness. You see, all of us have sinned and need a Savior. All of us need to be born again and become new in Jesus. All of us need Jesus, the Light of the World. 2 TIDINGS • December 2006 Contents SOUTHERN F Volume 100, No. 12, December 2006 EATURES The Southern Tidings is the Official Publication of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Growing up SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE Halvorsen 3978 Memorial Drive • Mail Address P.O. Box 849, Decatur, Georgia 30031 Telephone (404) 299-1832 4 www.southernunion.com Staff Interim Editor RON QUICK It’s Square Up Editorial Assistant IRISENE DOUCE Circulation ARDITH BEERS Production COLLEGE PRESS With God Time Layout BRIAN WIEHN 12 Contributing Editors Adventist Health System ANTHONY VERA CRUZ Faith and the Church Family Carolina RON QUICK Florida MARTIN BUTLER Restores Bass Academy Florida Hospital College DAWN MCLENDON Georgia-Cumberland KEN WETMORE 27 Gulf States BECKY GRICE Kentucky-Tennessee MARVIN LOWMAN Oakwood College MICHELE SOLOMON Southern’s Secret South Atlantic JAMES LAMB South Central MICHAEL HARPE Southeastern ROBERT HENLEY Gets Noticed Southern Adventist University LORI FUTCHER 28 Conference/Institution Directory CAROLINA (704) 596-3200 Edu c a t i n g Yo u t h i n P.O. Box 560339, Charlotte, NC 28256-0339 FLORIDA (407) 644-5000 P.O. Box 2626, Winter Park, FL 32790-2626 R e c o rd Num b e rs GEORGIA-CUMBERLAND (706) 629-7951 P.O. Box 12000, Calhoun, GA 30703-7001 29 GULF STATES (334) 272-7493 P.O. Box 240249, Montgomery, AL 36117. KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE (615) 859-1391 P.O. Box 1088, Goodlettsville, TN 37070-1088 SOUTH ATLANTIC (404) 792-0535 S P.O. Box 92447, M.B., Sta., Atlanta, GA 30314 8 Carolina SOUTH CENTRAL (615) 226-6500 10 Florida P.O. Box 24936, Nashville, TN 37202 W SOUTHEASTERN (352) 735-3142 14 Georgia-Cumberland P.O. Box 1016, Mt. Dora, FL 32756-0056 16 Gulf States ADVENTIST HEALTH SYSTEM (407) 975-1400 111 North Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 18 Kentucky-Tennessee FL 32789-3675 E 20 South Atlantic FLORIDA HOSPITAL (407) 303-6611 601 East Rollins St., Orlando, FL 32803 22 South Central FLORIDA HOSPITAL COLLEGE OF N 23 Southern Union HEALTH SCIENCES (800) 500-7747 800 Lake Estelle Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 24 Southeastern OAKWOOD COLLEGE (256) 726-7000 7000 Adventist Blvd., Huntsville, AL 35896 26 Southern Adventist University SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY (800) SOUTHERN P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315-0370 30 Obituaries SOUTHERN TIDINGS (USPS 507-000) Volume 100 Number 36 Classified Advertising 12, December 2006. Published monthly by the Southern Union. Free to all members. Periodical postage paid at Decatur, GA, and 39 Calendar at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send changes of ad- dress to Southern Tidings, P.O. Box 849, Decatur, GA 30031 Cover Caption: ????????? COVER PHOTO: RON QUICK December 2006 • TIDINGS 3 Cover Feature Growing up Halvorsen Ron and Carrol Halvorsen have who were surrounded by the minis- With the soft touch of a holiday spent a lifetime on the evange- try that shaped their lives. Now, they classic, Diane wraps her thoughts in, lism trail sharing the Good News of are shaping lives through their own “It’s a Wonderful Life (and Someone salvation. As a result, thousands ministries. Ron Jr. is senior pastor had to Live It), while her brother, have accepted Jesus as their personal of the 3,000-member Sligo Church in Ronnie, speaks from the heart about Savior. Yet, even as they searched Takoma Park, Maryland, and Diane “Growing Up Halvorsen.” for lost souls they were mentors to is associate pastor of the Apopka, their children, Ron Jr. and Diane, Florida, Church. 44 TTIIDDIINNGGSS •• DDeecceemmbbeerr 22000066 “We held nine evangelistic meetings a year. We worked hard and we played hard, too.” Growing Up Halvorsen time we left home than most people experience in their entire lives. In Young Pastor Ron BY RON HALVORSEN, JR. those days Dad would hold five meet- ings a week in the evenings, plus a Growing up in the Halvorsen church service on the weekend. home was anything but boring. It Diane and I heard Dad preach so meant life on the move. In fact, when often that we both knew his evan- I was in second grade we moved nine gelistic sermons by heart. Sitting times in one year. in the back with Mom, we would Dad, as the evangelist for the quietly follow along in unison with Carolina Conference, held nine meet- Dad. People in nearby seats thought ings a year. We did have a home in my sister and I had the gift of proph- Charlotte, North Carolina, though we ecy—we knew what the preacher was probably spent less than two weeks going to say even before he said it! there that whole year. The rest of the Now, as I look back, I can see year we lived in a 65-foot trailer that how during those early years we were we would pull from city to city. It was a whirlwind tour, for sure. There being trained for ministry . . . without Ron (left) and his brothers in even knowing it. And what a train- their Brooklyn neighborhood. were times when we’d finish an evan- ing we received! We spent months gelistic series one weekend, pack up living in the basements of churches and move the trailer to another city or behind them in campers or trailers. and start yet another series of meet- We learned to be prayer warriors, ings the following Friday night. spending our lives praying for people Growing up Halvorsen also to attend the meetings. And when meant growing up in ministry. My they did come, we prayed that they sister, Diane, and I had spent more would accept Jesus and be baptized. time in church and meetings by the I grew up running film projectors and helping out behind the scenes. Dad would occasionally take me on visits with him. My parents were role models, tru- ly dedicated to God and a life of min- The three brothers, Ron at right istry and service. They exemplified a love and life of sacrifice for Jesus that is deeply ingrained in me today. By the time I officially started ministry, it felt as though I had already put in 20- plus years of service. Growing up Halvorsen meant living in every region of the country, in more states than I care to count. It meant being adaptable, making friends quickly and learning to say good-bye gracefully. It meant a life of serving God and caring for others. Carrol was raised in upstate Fishing with one of his grandsons My sister and I had the privilege to New York DDeecceemmbbeerr 22000066 •• TTIIDDIINNGGSS 55 “It’s a wonderful life, and somebody had to live it.” witness in Dad and Mom, first-hand, had to Live It.” a passion for Jesus and the gospel. My life, I revealed, was always Yes, life as a Halvorsen meant surrounded by ministry. I have there were times Dad couldn’t be always loved being a PK and I have home with us, or at a school func- always loved being a part of my tion, or at other life events. How- family. ever, we all felt it was our work My parents filled my life with that took him away. It was never love, adventure and a passion for Proud parents at Ron Jr.’s wedding just Dad’s work. And it wasn’t just serving God. Through their witness, Dad’s calling. Ministry was our call- my brother Ron and I have learned ing, and our life. And wouldn’t you valuable lessons about sharing our know it . . . it still is! faith with others. The memories we Praise the Lord, my sister and hold dear are a collage of baptisms, I are both PK’s, or pastor’s kids, appeals and changed lives as a and still in the church today! More result of what was not just dad’s than that, we are both pastors. Our ministry, but our ministry. When models and our mentors taught us I reflect on all the places we have about a life of ministry and service, lived, I am thankful for the people and about real dedication to God. It I have met and the places I have seems the lessons stuck! been. So, Mom and Dad, not only did Can you imagine working in the you do good for God, you did good streets of New York City, walking for us and for your church as well. down alleys where some people We are very proud of you! would not go? But we went. I was never afraid of the city, because I It’s A Wonderful Life knew we were doing what God had called us to do. BY DIANE HALVORSEN I’ll never forget the interest- ing people who would attend our How does a person document Growing up on Long Island evangelistic meetings. One night a an entire lifetime on a piece of woman walked into the hall dressed paper? I attempted it once in a class when I was given an assignment to write my autobiog- raphy. The challenge arose when I came to the perplexing real- ity that every day is a page, every event is a chapter and every unfinished lifetime is a book yet to be writ- k ten. The end result was c iu truly an eye-opener. I Q n penned, “It’s a Wonder- oR ful Life and Someone The evangelist is also a painter. This painting by her The grandchildren father Diane proudly hangs in her home. 66 TTIIDDIINNGGSS •• DDeecceemmbbeerr 22000066 From Gangs to God: Shortly after his baptism into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ron Halvorsen was asked to play the part of a young gang member from New York in a series produced by Faith for Today. If you are familiar with his story, you will know that this wasn’t much of a stretch for young Ron. Before his conversion, he was heavily involved in the gang scene in Brooklyn, New York. in white. She whispered to Mom, City we met every kind of person— only seven years old. Dad was hold- “I’m the mother of God.” A man prostitutes, drug addicts, Broadway ing meetings in Viking Hall. It was who followed her in looked like stars, millionaires and the home- there that I heard the call of the Holy Santa Claus. Sure enough, he signed less—who exposed us to sorrow Spirit to ministry, knowing in my his registration card, “Kris Kringle.” and loss through their windowpanes heart that someday I would be doing Sometimes listening to God’s of life. the work my father was doing. Two call took us into That was our years later we returned for meetings In the city where my places we nor- world, our place of in Viking Hall, and there my father mally would dad was born, I was labor, our place of baptized me. In the city where my never go. Like the ministry. And my dad was born, I was born again. shooting galleries born again. brother and I were Today, I thank God for par- where druggies a part of it. Here, ents who included us in the call of went for a fix. Dad and Mom ministry. It has enriched my life so We even brought addicts home and always made us feel we were a vital much that words cannot express the helped them go through “cold tur- part of the ministry team. These love I have for them. My parents key,” or detox, from their addiction. moments were moments that have are my mentors, my heros and the I watched Dad and Mom nurse each helped to make me the person I ones I can always count on to be one, clean up their vomit and com- have become. A person who tries to there. Eternally, I will be grateful to fort them during the cold chills and see the world through the eyes of them for instilling in me the desire hot flashes of withdrawal. Jesus. to live passionately for Christ and to My parents always had hands One of these defining moments passionately share Him with those of love. On the streets of New York took place in Brooklyn when I was whose paths I cross. A Family Ministry . . . Home for the Holidays Both Ron, Jr. and Diane remember younger days when the family spent months on the road. “We held nine evangelistic meetings a year,” says Diane. “We worked hard and we played hard, too. Mom and Dad always made time for Ronnie and me. I remember camping, fishing, and fun in the sun on our vacations to Florida.” “There were times when Dad couldn’t be with us for a life event because of meetings,” recalls Ron. “Yet, there was one time of year that nothing could keep us apart: as we headed home for the holidays. Because growing up Halvorsen meant the family was together again at Christmas time.” Always on the move . . . This tireless evangelist will hold his next Revelation Offers Hope evangelistic series in the Apopka, Fla., Church, k c 340 Votaw Road, Apopka, Fla., 32703. Meetings ui Q begin January 19, 2007, 7:15 p.m. Details: n [email protected] or (407)-889- o R 2812. DDeecceemmbbeerr 22000066 •• TTIIDDIINNGGSS 77 Carolina News East African Church Established in Raleigh K C UI Q N O R Enock Omosa, pastor, poses with the more than 50 Swahili-speaking people who recently joined the East African church in Raleigh. A Well-Kept-Secret . . . “First of all,” Davidson Located in the Raleigh ship grew. The telephone rang in explained, “you need to area, the small group knew On September 30, Gary the president’s office. Jim have at least 20 people. of an African pastor up in Moyer, Conference secre- Davidson, Carolina Confer- How many are in your Minnesota who they hoped tary, had the honor of orga- ence president, answered. group?” could help them grow and nizing this special group as With a heavy accent, The pastor answered, establish a church. In June an official company of the the voice at the other end “We have 125 people in our of 2006, they called him to Carolina Conference. On of the line explained, “I’m group.” North Carolina. the same day there was a an ordained Seventh-day Now there’s a well kept The pastor was Enock mass baptism of 31 people. Adventist pastor from East secret. Imagine having a Omosa, an Adventist min- Another 22 individuals were Africa. We have a group group of 125 Seventh-day ister from Kenya who had brought in by profession of in Raleigh that would like Adventist worshipers in the moved to the United States faith. to join the sisterhood of Conference and not even to escape the political prob- This new congrega- churches.” knowing they exist. lems in his home country. tion is a secret no more. Always glad to hear This Swahili-speaking After arriving in Ra- The Carolina Conference is these words, Davidson congregation from the East leigh, Omosa reached out pleased to give them an of- shared with the pastor what African country of Kenya to various African associa- ficial welcome to the family. was required to establish a began meeting for worship tions in the Raleigh area. As —BY RON QUICK new company. back in February of 2006. a result of this, the member- Women’s Ministries Leader Meets with African Chief Debbie Rapp, Carolina women’s ministries director, together with leaders of the newly-established East African church in Raleigh, discusses plans with an African chief. Pictured with Debbie Rapp are Philomena Osoro, women’s ministries leader for the church and Chief Justin Masese. Standing are Enock Omosa, pastor, and his wife, Florence. Chief Masese, a Seventh-day Adventist, is a senior chief for the district of Kisii in Kenya, Africa. A senior chief is appointed by the United Kingdom and is much like a state governor. Chief Masese was visiting family members in Raleigh. K The women of the church will be taking an active role in this newly estab- C QUI lished church in Raleigh. N O R –BY RON QUICK 8 TIDINGS • December 2006 Carolina News Raleigh Spanish Acquires New Church Building K C UI Q N O R Jorge Alfonzo (pictured in the middle), church founder, is assisted with cutting the official ribbon by Domingo Paulino (left), pastor, and Andres Sequera, the first pastor of the Raleigh Spanish congregation. Members saved thousands of dollars by acquiring a previ- ously-owned community church. The Raleigh Hispanic church will seat 260. Church members ent locations before re- of his members, Jorge and condition. There was no proudly looked on as cently acquiring their own Nelly Alfonzo. need for repair or renova- Domingo Paulino, pas- building. They began holding Span- tion—they could move tor; Jorge Alfonzo, church Only a few months ish services each week in right in. founder; and Andres ago, on August 5, the the fellowship hall of the And so they did. They Sequera, pastor; cut the rib- Raleigh Spanish company English church. Soon this look forward to many years bon to officially open the was organized as an official new group had a member- of fellowship and outreach doors of the new Raleigh church, with more than 60 ship of 32 and made plans in their new building. Spanish church on Octo- individuals signing on as to move into their own —BY RON QUICK ber, 28. charter members. Things facility. The 260-seat church, are moving quickly for this They con- situated on five acres, will church family. tinued renting provide plenty of room for The Hispanic work until they saved expansion of this rapidly began in Raleigh in 1994 enough funds to growing Hispanic congre- when Jim Rochester, then purchase their gation. pastor of the Raleigh own church. The Raleigh Spanish English church, formulated By the grace of church family first began a plan to reach the Span- God they found worshiping together 12 ish-speaking population in a previously- K C years ago. Since that time the surrounding area. He owned church UI Q they’ve met in four differ- enlisted the help of two in excellent ON R December 2006 • TIDINGS 9 Florida News Bible Conference Empowers and Equips Youth The 2006 High School every year,” says Juan Bible Conference at Camp Rodriguez, Florida Confer- Kulaqua in High Springs ence associate youth/young was planned by Florida adult ministries director, Conference youth/young “because of the wonder- N O adult leaders with the same T ful group of youth pastors F O goal that has driven all re- CR and volunteers who give E cent events—to “empower AN of themselves to serve our J and equip” our youth to young people.” Bill Crofton, Florida Conference youth/young adult ministries reach others for Christ. director, reunited with youth from the East Pasco church in “God blessed tremen- Attended by 537 reg- Zephyrhills, Fla., who accompanied him on the summer, 2006. dously,” says Bill Crofton, istrants, the October 12-15 Costa Rica youth mission trip. youth/young adult minis- event was host to repre- tries director. “Tears came sentatives from churches Guest speaker Willie each other and with Jesus. to my eyes as I stood with throughout Florida. Hun- Ramos challenged the They also participated in parents who drove up on dreds rededicated their young people to consider powerful, spirit-filled wor- Sunday morning to witness lives to Christ and made a “The Passion of the Ages.” ship music led by Robbi their children’s baptisms. It commitment to spread His Throughout the weekend, Valentin, Youth pastor, from doesn’t get any better than love in their hometowns. high school students took the Miami Temple church. to witness young people Eleven students were bap- time alone with God and “With God’s Spirit give their hearts to Jesus.” tized, and 30 made deci- met in small groups to leading, the Bible Confer- —BY JUAN RODRIGUEZ, BILL sions for baptism. strengthen friendships with ence has gotten better CROFTON Lives Changed In 24/7 Prayer Room Imagine yourself at rooms, FLA students set up Forest Lake Academy (FLA) interactive stations where in search of relief from the 192 hours of continuous hot Florida sun. Strategical- prayer in early August led ly posted signs guide you into the new school year. to the quiet atmosphere of Friends came from far and a 24-hour Prayer Room on near to pray on behalf of the Apopka, Fla., campus. the academy. The admin- Looking around, you istrators were lifted up in a observe the written prayers dedication prayer. of previous visitors who Lives of FLA students, left heartfelt cries to God. faculty, and community Next, you sit at the foot of folks were touched as a a cross and sense a pres- result of their Prayer Room ence in this room the world experience. First-time N E doesn’t offer—the precious commitments were made NS E presence of God. You pick to God by many individu- N J up a nearby hammer and als, while others renewed ROLY A C begin nailing your bur- their relationship with Him. S: O dens to the cross. You’re Encounters from the Prayer OT H P reminded of the price that Room’s eight-day visit on Rachel Torres (inset), a Forest Lake Academy junior, journaled was paid once—for all! the FLA campus were de- and prayed in the quietness of the Prayer Room, where many With the help of Nicki scribed as “very powerful students testified of real communication with God for the first Carleton, an Orlando-based and moving.” time in their lives. A wooden cross, an easel, and a curtain were creator of 24/7 prayer —BY KRISTIE CAIN covered with notes of changed lives and lifted burdens. 10 TIDINGS • December 2006