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R. STEVEN NORMAN IIIcal structuresthat any investwhich will enment comes withhance worshipa certain amountto God, felof risk. The investlowship withment is unsecured,others, andnon-negotiable, andeducationalnon-transferable. Aadvantages forSURF investment ischildren anda 90-day demandyouth. Younote; however,may not bewithdrawal requestsable to travelare usually fulfilledas a missionin less than a week.ary to foreignA SURF inveslands. Youtor can be anymay not haveAdventist individualthe stamina toliving in the Southdistribute truthern Union, revofilled literacable trusts can beWilliam K. Duncan (left), Joel Baptist, and Lewis Edwards, pastor of Poinciana Church invested in SURF,ture. You mayin Poinciana, Florida, share with Carlos Salazar, director of the Southern Union Revolvnot have theing Fund, how God has blessed their 370-member church to build through the generosity and other Advenskills to physi- of members and by partnering with SURF for a low-interest loan.tist entities suchcally help inas churches andconstructing anorganizations may80 percent of available funds keeping also invest. Interest is compoundedassisted living home; however as anthe remaining 20 percent in liquid in- monthly and paid quarterly. You caninvestor in SURF, you know you arevestments,” says Randy Robinson. “In open a regular investment accountpartnering with others in helping toaddition we keep another 25 percent with SURF through your local conferbuild God’s kingdom.equivalent of loaned funds on handThe family of investors in theence. A minimum of 1,000 is all thatas a ‘just in case of an emergencySouthern Union has made SURF theis needed.fund.’”largest revolving fund in the NorthSalazar shares that some indiFinancial managers marvel atAmerican Division, providing loansviduals simply want to do something.SURF’s investor safety since its incep- They invest in SURF then realize thein the millions without losing anytion. During the country’s economicinvested funds in its history; it isfinancial benefits. Then there areslump SURF investors showed ecoa ministry reaching out across theothers who invest for the financialnomic gain. The financial advisorsUnion territory.returns. They don’t understand whatand fund managers used by SURF ex- is happening. They later realize theyA church may borrow up to aercise extreme prudence. The safetymaximum of four times its averageare in a partnership investing inof the fund is in the secured loansannual tithe, and the local conferministry, and the spiritual blessingsence underwrites the loan. Currently, guaranteed by the conferences.come from the satisfaction and joy of“Where else can you get thisthe borrowing interest rate is threeknowing they helped build a church,kind of safety with a one-and-a-quar- school, or youth chapel for fellowand-a-quarter percent (maximumter percent interest rate?” exclaimedterm of a loan is 20 years). Loans ofship.Robinson. “This kind of security onmore than 99,999 require a mortthe market would yield at most onegage, which is held by the SouthernINVESTING WITH A PURPOSEquarter percent. SURF is currentlyUnion Revolving Fund, Inc.A Church or School can obtain a loan frompaying one-and-a-quarter percent.”Investors in SURF have continuSURF withThe mechanism is built with redunally appreciated the safety of theirEASE,dant safety nets: safe investments,funds. Eighty percent of funds areLESS COST, AND“just in case funds,” and conferenceinvested in loans to institutions.KIND SPIRITbacking. Despite these incredibleUnloaned SURF funds (a maximumprecautions, the returns are wayof 20 percent of available funds) areCall Carlos Salazar at theinvested in fixed income instruments, more than market rate, and the greatSouthern Union Revolving Fund atest reward of all is knowing thesethe majority of which are govern770-408-1800, x121funds are being invested in ministry,ment, corporate, and foreign issued,“SURF is a ministry to facilitate growth whichand ministry is happening.according to Carlos Salazar, directorin turn facilitates spiritual growth.”Despite the safety of SURFof SURF.—Pastor Robert Boggessinvestments, investors are reminded“We loan up to a maximum of6T IDINGS May 2014

Florida FeatureBY DEXTER THOMAS, D.MIN.WILLIAM VERDEKALas the basis of the study materials.Each lesson highlights one ofthe fundamental beliefs to illustratea braille concept. He explains one ofthe many contractions in braille, andthen the students read a fundamentalbelief to see how it uses the contraction. “Blind individuals improve theirbraille literacy and, at the same time,learn these precious biblical truths,”said Thomas, who is blind.Every bit as important as the lessons is the fellowship. “We advertisedour free brailleclasses as a funand exciting learning experience withfood, friendship,and fellowship,”said Thomas. “Thefood and fellowship doesn’t onlyattract the visuallychallenged. It alsoattracts their caregivers and other churchDexter Thomas (second from left) has a doctor of ministry degree members who creand teaches a braille class at West Palm Beach Braille Readers’ate a warm, nonClub. “Visually impaired individuals are accustomed to peoplethreatening ministryrushing by and feeling lonely in a sighted world,” he said. “Whenenvironment.”we reached out to them, we were able to bring confidence andFive localassurance that there are still people in the world who care.”Adventist congrechurches. Because of its brevity andgations staff the West Palm Beachsimplicity, Thomas used the children’s Braille Readers’ Club: First Church ofversion of the 28 fundamental beliefsWest Palm Beach, Communities WestPACIFIC PRESSEvery week, a secular organization for the blind, located in WestPalm Beach, hosts an educationalministry—the West Palm Beach BrailleReaders’ Club — where visually challenged adults learn to read brailleusing the 28 fundamental beliefs ofAdventism as their study materials.Dexter Thomas, D.Min., FloridaConference disabilities coordinator,designed the curriculum with thehelp of members from several localChurch in Loxahatchee, Palm SpringsChurch of West Palm Beach, SouthPalm Company of Delray Beach, andBoynton Beach Church. The generosity of members in these churches hasalso funded the braille books used inthe sessions.Thomas would like to see theseBraille Readers’ Clubs formed incommunities throughout Florida. It issurprisingly easy to run such a Club.The church receives a manual thatexplains how to organize and run aClub, and the church provides volunteers and refreshments.“Our prayer is for such a ministryto spread throughout the Conference. Churches can partner with thedisabled and their families for theirwholeness, and give them a foretasteof the unconditional love and acceptance we will all experience in theEarth made new,” said Thomas.May 2014 T IDINGS7

Carolina FeatureBY HASKELL WILLIAMSA team of “12 apostles” left thecomfort of the Carolinas bound forHolguin, the fourth largest city ofthe Republic of Cuba on January 22,2014. These ShareHim volunteersincluded, among others, a civilianlogistic officer, a physician’s assistant, a dentist, a managementinstructor, a retired professor and amechanical engineer. Their mission:to share the Everlasting Gospelwith the people of the Province ofHolguin.The evangelists came fromseveral churches throughout theCarolinas and preached in variedchurches in the Eastern Association(Conference) of Seventh-day Adventists — from downtown Holguin, acity of more than a quarter-million,to the village of Potrerillo, so smallthat its 100 homes don’t appear onmany maps. In each of the churchesthe evangelists found warm-heartedfellow believers who were prayingfor God’s harvest.8T IDINGS May 2014My First TimeBefore this trip to Cuba, CarlosOrtega had never preached before.He was nervous. Even his son triedto dissuade him, “Dad, are yousure?” But he had a jump on allthe other team members — he wasfluent in Spanish. “I had very goodresponse,” he said. And though itwas his first experience preaching,21 people werebaptized fromhis site.Ortega waseven able towitness to histaxi driver eachnight as theydrove to andfrom Cueto.The “taxi driver” was actually a talentedorthopedicsurgeon whoCuban congregationspecialized inhands. This doctor, whose monthlysalary is only 25, was earning alittle extra cash using his 1950s Pontiac to transport Ortega nightly fromHolguin to Cueto.Beverly Winsted had picturedherself doing volunteer medicalwork after she retired, but Godnudged her to join the ShareHimteam mission to Cuba instead.

Winsted had never preached anevangelist sermon before, muchless a series, but she was amazedby the enthusiasm of her listeners.“People of all ages responded,” sherecounted.One man asked for help ingetting rid of a spiritualistic idol.He was also a heavy smoker, buton the last Sabbath he joined hismother and brother in baptism,joyful in his new freedom in Christ.That night as the team gathered toHe was steeped in cynical athetestimony instead. It was compelism, having worked in the Siberianling. People could identify and seeoilfields during the 1990s. But eachhow God had transformed her life.night his wife, Nereyda, gatheredThe Spartanburg Church sent aa small group to pray for Haskellteam of evangelists: Jerry LaFave,Williams, Carolina Conference minis- pastor; his wife, Barbara LaFaveterial/evangelism director, and the(who had come because of a lastmeetings in Alcides Pino.minute cancellation); Ron Fowler,Robiel began attending duringD.M.D.; and Patricia Davis. LaFavethe first week, and then he came ev- was impressed by the commitmentery night. “It was a shock to everyof church support and their dedicaone who knew him when he cametion to attend nightly. In Deliciasforward to be baptized,” Williamswhere he spoke, as in most othernoted. But there churches, many of those attendingwas also a surhad worked long hours in sugarprise for Robiel. cane fields, then traveled several kiThrough special lometers in trucks, carts, or on footarrangementsto hear the Word of God.with the AssoLaFave reported, “One individciation presiual, who had not been an Adventistdent, Robiel’svery long, worked diligently to getson, an elder in45 guests to attend. He is activelythe church, hadgiving Bible studies. His 78-year-oldthe privilege ofmother was won to the Lord duringbaptizing histhe meetings. I had the privilege tofather.baptize her in the ocean in front ofHavingher home.” This new member hasfallen in lovebeen instrumental in establishing awith the Cubanhome Bible study group that meetsLeslie Louis (left), president of the Carolina Conference, standspeople throughweekly in this very poor community.with Conference personnel, pastors, and lay workers in Cuba.previous ShareLeslie Louis, president ofHim campaigns, the Carolina Conference, set theMary Ann Roberts, Ph.D., jumpedexample of evangelistic servicerecount God’s victories, everyoneby leading this all-Carolina team.but Winsted was present. Finally the at the chance of holding a fourthcampaign in Cuba. On a previousHundreds of visitors were presentyellow 1942 Chevrolet taxi drovetrip, her husband, at the time waseach night in the Central Holguinup with her beaming. She wouldn’tleave the church until the last of the not an Adventist, came along for the Church as he spoke. Many had38 people who had responded were unusual opportunity to visit Havana. travelled dozens of kilometers toRoberts asked him to keep an eyehear the Word. Louis committed tobaptized.on the equipment at the meetings.finding partners to raise the funds“Life-changing.” That is howDuring the finalGary Himmelwright describes hismeeting, he wasCuba experience. “There were athe first one tohuge number of children,” he says,respond to the“Sixty-two of them — all visitors.”Every day Himmelwright tailored his appeal to bebaptized.messages to reach his young audiOn the firstence and designed ways to engagenight of thisthem in the message. “All wanted totrip the sermongive their hearts to Jesus, so we hadgraphics did nota special altar call just for the chilwork, so Robdren.” Though they were too youngerts, known asto be baptized at that time, their“Ms. ShareHim”commitment is recorded in Heaven.because of hernumerous camSurprise!Robiel was a hardened secularist paigns aroundthe world, gave Magdiel Laramendy (second from right), pastor of Alcides Pinowho adamantly opposed his son’sChurch, poses with Cuban members.her personaland wife’s involvement in church.May 2014 T IDINGS9

for a church structure in a remotevillage called Pedernalis. ThroughGod’s providence and the generosity of the members, the amount hasbeen raised and exceeded!“Side Benefits”To find translators fluent in English, Luis Leonor, ShareHim trip coordinator, was forced to hire severalindividuals who were not membersof the Adventist church. Himmelwright’s translator was a teacher ofsocialistic philosophy at the localcollege. What started as a chanceto earn more money profoundlyimpacted his thinking, and demeanor, as Himmelwright unfolded thesoundness of God’s Word.Since her interpreter had noreligious background, Roberts lether take the laptop home so shecould become familiar with the sermons. The interpreter kept exclaiming, “This is so beautiful!” As theHoly Spirit touched her there was amarked change in her appearance.Since returning home, Roberts received an email inviting her to comeback for her baptism.LaFave’s translator was the wifeof a Baptist minister (and the childof three generations of Baptist ministers). She was truly moved by thenightly messages, and expressedseveral times that the meetingswere for her, too. “She had seriousquestions to ask about our faithand requested a copy of The GreatControversy, which we presentedto her at our last meeting,” saidLaFave. “Through our ongoingcommunication, we’re praying forher acceptance of God’s last daymessage of truth.”Barbara LaFave’s translator, a10T IDINGS May 2014Pentecostal, made her decision tojoin the church. She and Barbaracontinue in communication. Shesaid that she visited her formercongregation and found it unappreciative of the new truths she hadlearned. Though she lives somedistance from Palmarito, she longsto get back. The Carolina ShareHimteam solicits your prayers for herand all of the translators, as wellas the 134 individuals who werebaptized, and more than 400 whomade decisions to accept Christ andprepare for baptism.Future Plans“I would love to do [an evangelistic series] every month if I could,”Ortega says. Already he and his pastor are planning for outreach in hishome church in Jacksonville, NorthCarolina.Winsted’s pastor asked her todo a ShareHim series in her homechurch in High Point, North Carolina. She knows that groundworkneeds to be done first, and is looking at people’s needs and interests.Community services, ads in newspapers, and surveys are some thingsshe is considering.Roberts does several homelandcampaigns each year. She is looking at renting a small storefront ina shopping mall that, with a largescreen, could be turned into a minitheater. Before doing a series, however, she wants to create interest.Himmelwright is excited aboutpossibly doing a ShareHim series inEthiopia using one of his High PointPathfinders (a native of Ethiopia) asan interpreter and associate speaker.Louis and Williams are eachplanning to hold a series of evange-Beverly Winsted preaches at San GermanChurch in Cuba.listic meetings this year in Hickoryand Rocky Mount, North Carolinarespectively. They solicit prayers forthose who will hear.For those who want to experience the joy of soul-winning, theCarolina Conference is planning aShareHim campaign in 2015 (lateJanuary or early February) to Centralor South America. Plan now andwatch for upcoming details on thewebsite www.carolinasda.org or inthe Carolina Action.If we care about others, or onlycare to finish the work so that wecan go home, we must share thehope — ShareHim. But, how muchbetter if we do it from genuine lovefor those who are perishing.Haskell Williams is the ministerial/evangelism director at the Carolina Conference.

JULIE KROLLKentucky-Tennessee FeatureBY KRIS FUENTESThe choir with their tour coordinator and translator Frank Artavia.12T IDINGS May 2014JULIE KROLLJULIE KROLLa people truly hungry for the gospelThe Madisonians, theand eager for our Lord’s return, asMadison Academy choir underit provided them a front-row seat tothe direction of Waldemarexperience the outpouring of the HolyWensell, just returned from aSpirit as Christians and non-Christiansmusical mission trip to Costaalike acknowledged that the “AngelsRica. While on the trip, thefrom heaven were singing.”choir travelled more than 1,000God’s providential leading and Hismiles, performed 22 times forintervention in the lives of His peoplemore than 4,000 people at awas evident and the students not onlyvariety of venues including anevangelistic series, a churchblessed, but were blessed. How wonplant in a tourist town, threederful to get out of the classroom, outlibraries, city hall, the conof the church pews, out of the comfortThe choir during a warm up sessionference office, primary andzone and experience “pura vida.”students tasted some of the best fruit insecondary schools, two universities,the world and ate many different Southand a soccer camp for at-risk teenagand Central American foods.ers sponsored by ADRA and the U.S.They enjoyed zip-liningEmbassy.through the Costa RicanThey shared the gospel withlifetime Adventists and with non-Chris- canopy and traveled to therim of an active volcano.tians. They ministered in cathedrals,This musical missionin the halls of a geriatric hospital, in aNicaraguan immigrant community, and trip pushed the students toeven provided music at the last minute reach deep within themselves and sing, thoughfor the funeral of the bus driver’stheir voices were fatigued.brother-in-law.It required them to rely onThanks to Frank and Rodrigo, theGod for physical strength asguide and driver, the choir experisleep was at times fleeting.enced the culture and flavor of “puraThey witnessed first-handvida” or “pure life”. While there, theThe choir on a zip line excursion

South Central Feature24 He Deserves ItBY MARVIN L. ALLISON SR.South Central youth director, had theprivilege of placing the vestments onGriffin

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