One Hundred and One Baptized
Doris and I were driving to the
school gym. Both of us had minds
racing with events which had taken
place in our church over the past
two weeks. Nothing like this had
ever happened in our nearly 20
years of ministry.
Since the Sabbath evening be-
fore, I had baptized 96 people into
the Reno Church and five others
into two neighboring churches.
Now we were on our way to a ban-
quet to welcome these 101 new
members and to give thanks to
Dick Pollard, the evangelist, and
his associate, Randy Brehms.
I looked at my wife and said,
“Only four months ago, the
church board voted with reluc-
tance to hold a series of meetings
in Reno. Do you remember the
board felt that neither the church
members nor the community
would support the meetings?”’
It is amazing how many believed
that God could not bless a com-
munity which 1s the modern rep-
lica of Sodom and Gomorrah. We
had hoped that the $25,000 invest-
ment would produce 50 baptisms.
One of the board members said
his faith could see 75.
Sometime during the ride from
the church to the gym, I remem-
ber, 1 commented, ‘‘This is a
once-in-a-lifetime experience.’”’
Then, after thinking about what
God had done for Reno, 1 came
back with a revision: ‘‘No, I
believe this is only the beginning
of what God is going to do for
us.”’
At this writing it has been near-
ly a month since that Sabbath
when the 101st person was baptized
and that afternoon when those
101 people assembled to receive
their baptismal certificates, stand-
ing along the perimeter of the
church and in the center aisle. The
“old” members of the church
seated in the pews were completely
encompassed by their new brothers
and sisters in the faith.
As their pastor, I continue to be
thrilled; for I see the Holy Spirit
continuing to work with every
member of our church each week
as the ‘‘old”” members have taken
it upon themselves to nurture
these new ones. Approximately
150 of these solid members have
opened their homes one evening a
week for conducting cottage
meetings, inviting a number of
new members, as well as former
members, to join them in making
the church the place where all can
find friendship and fellowship in
Christ.
Plans are now being drawn for
church expansion. The finance
and building committees are
meeting and divising methods and
means for an 8,000-square-foot
addition to care for the 33 percent
increase in membership.
To top all this, the church
board recently voted to invite
Dick Pollard to return in the fall
of 1986. Why not? The people of
Reno know what public evange-
lism will do for their community,
and they are supporting it in every
way.
Norman Ostrander, Pastor
PUC Teacher Holds Extension Class
Melanie Brown Welch, pro-
fessor of physical education at
Pacific Union College, returned to
the place where she grew up to
teach a PUC advanced placement
course for academy seniors and an
extension class to Adventist
teachers on the island of Oahu.
Called ‘“‘PE in the Elementary
School,” the three-month course
challenged the teachers to pro-
mote the most healthful develop-
ment possible in their students.
A total of 10, including pre-
school, lower- and upper-elemen-
tary school teachers, an academy
PE teacher and a music teacher
enrolled in the class. They ap-
preciated so much what Mrs.
Welch was promoting they spread
the word to their respective
schools, creating an interest In ex-
posing all the elementary teachers
in the Hawaii Conference to the
practical ideas and instruction.
Tuesday, February 21, teachers
Please note new numbers:
Hawaii Conference
595.7591, 92 and 93
Adventist Book Center
595-4689
from Oahu, Molokai, Maui and
the Big Island met at Hawaiian
Mission Elementary School for a
class taught by Dr. Welch. After a
lunch exemplifying healthful
foods, the group shifted to the
Hawaiian Mission Academy gym-
nasium for the activity portion of
the day. Teachers taking the ex-
tension class aided Mrs. Welch in
the activities and games.
Many expressed appreciation
for the good ideas and practical
suggestions they could take back
to their schools.
Physical Education Professor Melanie Brown Welch of Pacific Union
College leads in the Inservice Day at Hawaiian Mission Elementary
School.
fellowship at Reno.
One hundred and one new members were welcomed into church
ULLETIN BQ4ARD
Hinsdale Annual Reunion of alumni
and friends will be held Sunday, May
6, Loma Linda University, La Sierra
Campus Commons Cactus Room. So-
cial hour at 10:45 a.m. Lunch 12
noon. ‘‘Pictures of Hinsdale.”
Keene Reunion: May 19, 6:30 p.m.,
Fellowship Hall, University church,
Loma Linda. Vesper speaker: Dr.
Frank Knittel. Musicians: Harold and
Ramona Rees Group. Come early for
more time to visit!
| conference and Campus Calendar
Unionwide
Middle East College and In-Depth Study Tours
presents a new concept in scholarship, in intensive
study of Biblical background by touring places such
as Corinth, Athens, Thessalonika, Philippi, the seven
churches of Revelation and other sites important to
students of the Bible and ancient history. A tour is
conducted every quarter, each lasting 40 days. Since
only eight participants are accepted under the com-
prehensive program, applications should be made as
early as possible. Further information is available by
calling the Horn Archaeology Museum, (616) 471-3273.
Address further inquiries to Jon Green, Ph.D., Ad-
ventist University of Eastern Africa, P.O. Box 2500,
Eldoret, Kenya, or to Edmond Haddad, Ph.D., Middle
East College, P.O. Box 90481, Jdeidet EI-Matn,
Lebanon.
La Sierra College Alumni and Friends cordially in-
vite you to their 8th Annual Spring Retreat, May 25-27,
Los Angeles Times Training Camp, Brea Canyon. For
information, write “Compass,” Box 9025, Glendale,
CA 91206, or call the following for information: In the
Loma Linda/La Sierra area, Bill Napier (714) 824-4635;
in the Glendale area, Bob Lorenz (213) 246-0370 or
242-6509; Los Angeles area, Charles Chavez (213)
286-6731; and in the Orange County area, Marshall
Horsmann (714) 754-1052.
Northern California Conference
Mrs. Bernadine Follett will speak at Dorcas Feder-
ation meetings. Listed are the dates and locations:
May 7, Yountville church, 1920 Finnell Road; May 9,
Miranda church, Avenue of the Giants; May 15, Yuba
City church, 1460 Richland; May 17, Stockton Span-
ish church, 1912 Monte Diablo Ave.; May 8, Santa
Rosa church, 840 Sonoma Ave.; May 14, Antioch
church, 320 Worrell St.; May 16, Camino church, 3541
Carson Rd. All meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. and con-
clude at 1:30 p.m.
Chico Church Dedication and Homecoming, 7
p.m. Friday, May 11, and all day Sabbath, May 12.
Dedication service 4 p.m. All friends and former
members are invited. For further information, call
(916) 342-7777.
Barry Black will be the guest speaker at the Pitts-
burg church, 900 Los Medanos St., May 12. Elder
Black is a graduate of Oakwood College and Andrews
University. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in
clinical psychology and is chaplain at the Naval Train-
ing Center in San Diego. Services begin at 9:30 a.m.
and will continue throughout the day.
The Norman Skeels Chorale will present a concert
of religious choral favorites during the eleven o’clock
worship service Sabbath, May 12, Sacramento Cen-
tral church, 6045 Camellia Ave.
Central California conference
The Central California Writers Guild conducts its
third spring workshop at the Conference office, 2820
Willow Ave., Clovis, Sunday, May 6, 1.30 p.m.
Featured speaker: Attorney Lewis Walton, author and
lecturer. Topic: “Why We Write in the Light of the
Second Coming of Christ.” Added attraction: Demon-
stration of word processing hardware and software.
All writers—real and would-be—are welcome to at-
tend, says Guild President Clark B. McCall, pastor,
Campbell Church.
A four-day seminar on natural remedies con-
ducted by Physical Therapist Charles Thomas is set
for May 17-20 at the North Fork church. Dr. Thomas,
emeritus associate professor of health sciences,
Loma Linda University School of Health, will teach
basic hydrotherapy and home-treatment procedures.
Registered and licensed vocational nurses may earn
continuing education units by attending. Seminar in-
formation available by calling (209) 877-2968.
southern California Conference
The Torrance church, 2368 Sonoma St., is holding
a “Prophecy and Health Panorama’ with Duane Cor-
win on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
evenings at 7:15, April 28-June 2.
Norwalk Church will celebrate 100 years in the
same location at a special all-day program May 5. Ac-
tivities are planned for both regular church services,
8:30 and 11:15 a.m., which will be followed by a
fellowship luncheon. An afternoon meeting at 2:30
will be on “Church and Conference History” by Jim
Nix and the “Medical Missionary History’ by Stan
Hickerson and Merlin Burt. Following this will be a
presentation of the “Work at the Present Time” by
Dale Leamon. The Challenge and Dedicatory Prayer
will be presented by Ralph S. Watts, Jr.
Toni and Larissa will present a sacred concert at
the Hollywood church, 1711 N. Van Ness Ave., Sab-
bath, May 5, 3 p.m., and at the East Los Angeles
church, 700 S. Hoefner St., Sabbath, May 12, 2 p.m.
The San Pasqual Academy choir will present a
concert at the North Hills church, 1717 N. Mountain
Ave., Claremont, Sabbath, May 5, 4 p.m.
9
“His Gospel Ministry,” a local quartet, will pre-
sent a concert of both gospel and traditional music at
the Long Beach church, 1001 E. Third St., Sabbath,
May 5, 5:30 p.m.
The Measure of Faith Lay Revival Team with
Speaker Leonard Muliens will hold revival meetings
at the Los Angeles Central church, 650 West 21st St.,
May 6-12, seven o'clock nightly. The focus of the
messages will be “Freedom to Minister.”
Dr. Walde Wareham will present a narrated slide
program on ‘“‘Our Nearest Foreign Mission,” a pic-
torial story of the Valley of the Trinidad hospital,
school and church in Baja California, and will honor
the late Lloyd Kinsey, who gave this project 12 years
of loving care, at the Glendale church chapel, 610 E.
California Ave., Sabbath, May 5, 7 p.m.
Brad and Olive Braley and guest musicians will
present a Mother's Day theme concert at the Long
Beach church, 1001 E. Third St., Sabbath, May 12, 5:30 p.m.
Evangelistic meetings will be held at the Glendale Spanish church,
901 E. Broadway, with Conference Evangelist Sergio Ortiz, seven o’clock
nightly except Thursday and Friday, May 12-June 9.
Southeastern California conference
May 11-June 11 Ben George will conduct an evangelistic series in the
South Bay/Imperial Beach area of San Diego. The meetings will run Fri-
day, Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights with a strong focus on the
family at the Mar Vista Junior High cafetorium, corner of 17th and Grove,
South San Diego. Names of interests in South San Diego and Imperial
Beach to be given a special invitation should be sent to Elder John
Hughson, 2981 Doria Way, San Diego, CA 92139; or phone (619) 267-9335.
A marriage appreciation retreat, sponsored by Loma Linda University
-_ Church, is scheduled for May 18-20 at Arrowhead Springs. Couples, any
SR age, are welcome. The mountain weekend promises fun while the many
skills for a good marriage are explored. Relax and learn about stress,
emotions, sex, impulses and communication for both husbands and
wives. Pre-registration is required. For information, call (714) 824-4570.
PACIFIC UNION RECORDER / APRIL 30, 1984