Mibeit May-June 1970

East— I teSSeiVW Volume XIX, Number 2

ADVENTISTS RESPOND TO TURKEY EARTHQUAKE NEEDS

The Seventh-day Adventist response
to a series of more than a thousand
earthquakes which devastated towns in
western Turkey during late March and
April was speedy and compassionate.

Elder Fred Waelti, head of the wel-

fare work in the German-Swiss Confer-
ence, telephoned Elder Manuk Benzat-
yan, president of the Turkey Section,
to offer help. He said that the Adventist
churches in Switzerland had answered
the appeal and that help for the disaster
area was ready. Within three days 16
tons of clothing and blankets arrived in
Turkey from the Swiss Adventists.

From Germany the Central European

Division sent word : "Our sisters and
brethren who also have suffered all the
great times of troubles and dangers are
touched by the misery and they want
Workers are seen unloading a shipment of goods from Swiss Adventists or the to help." Elder Oswald Bremer, the di-
Turkey earthquake victims. Other pictures on pages 6 and 7. vision treasurer, put this help in the
form of 5,000 West German marks for
use in emergency relief or reconstruc-
Delegates Selected, Plans Made for tion,
In the meantime the Seventh-day Ad-
51st General Conference Session ventist Welfare Service headquarters in
Washington cabled : "$1,000 credited
The Middle East Division will send filmed and edited by Elders Fenn and Division account for Turkey earthquake
twelve delegates to the 51st quadren- Potter, with the narration by Elder victims."
nial session of the General Conference, Fenn.
The earthquakes centered around the
June 11 to 20, at Atlantic City, New The Middle East Division is to be town of Gediz in western Turkey.
Jersey. In addition seven members of represented in the exhibition hall by an Nothing was left standing in Gediz,
the General Conference committee who attractive display making use of the Akcaaian, and' ,Emet other than a lone
serve in the Middle East Division will latest in audio-visual techniques. A house leaning against a utility pole.
be seated as delegates-at-large. At least continuously running slide projector Surrounding villages were heavily dam-
nine other workers from the Division will put scenes of the Middle East on aged. The death toll reached 2,000 and
will attend meetings during the session. an attractive daylight screen. Narration the full number may never be known.
Some delegates expect to be accompa- will accompany the slides to explain the Thousands of others were injured.
nied by their wives. This representation work represented. Telephone receivers
along with many former workers and will be installed to lines connecting to Elder Benzatyan sent an account of
residents of the Middle East will doubt- recorded sounds from the Middle East, the destruction : "It was sickening,"
less make the 1970 Middle East Divi- including samples of greetings in Mid- he said. "It was as if an atomic
sion group the largest in history. dle East languages and the Muslim call bomb had exploded and left the place
to prayer. desolate. People were left without loved
The division report is scheduled for ones, children without parents, people
the first Saturday night of the session, The display will also contain a mu- without homes, businesses, income."
an hour generally regarded as prime seum table with exhibits of archaeolog- Elders Fred Waelti and Johann Laich
time because of the large number of ical interest connected to the Bible. accompanied Elder Benzatyan to the
Large prints on the walls will show earthquake area. They traveled as
visitors and lack of conflicting appoint-
ments and because it is the first of the points of interest in the Middle East. guests of the Turkish National Airlines
evenings devoted to overseas reports. There will be the usual envelope of gift and of the Turkish Red Crescent Soci-
Besides the officers' report, the program stamps for visitors. ety. They were supplied with a minibus
includes stories told by workers in cos- A new feature, presented as a first and drivers for two days to tour the
tume and a motion picture showing the by •the Middle East Division, will be a area, take pictures, and assess the
work of the division. The picture was Continued on page eight. Continued on page three.
Page Two MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER May-June 1970

A little boy went to the library and asked for a book about penguins. The
librarian found a suitable volume, and the satisfied lad walked merrily away with
the book tucked carefully under his arm. Several days later he came back to return
the book. "Well, son, did you find what you wanted to know about penguins?"
"Yes," he answered, "but there was a whole lot there that I didn't want to know
about."
Very likely you have felt just as the little boy expressed himself when some
friend or brother related to you his appraisal of some real or imaginary fault or
mistake committed by a mutual acquaintance—you simply didn't want to know
about it. If that acquaintance had made some miserable failure in life and you
could help him to get reestablished and walking again towards heaven, that would
be one thing, but simply to hear recounted another's failures is too vivid a reminder
of our own glaring weaknesses.
We all have faults and we all make blunders and it is quite a disturbing
experience to hear these weaknesses emphasized or even exaggerated by a likewise-
erring brother. Actually we are all quite familiar with our own weaknesses and
in most cases we are trying by God's help to overcome them. Would it not be a
much nobler attitude if we should seek to overlook or ignore the failures of a
brother rather than to shout it from the house top or spread it from ear to ear?
The Spirit of Prophecy has much to say concerning this matter. Note the
following words: "By their unrighteous suspicions and unrighteous judgments,
the tale bearers hurt their own experience and sow the seeds of discord in the
church. If they could see things as God sees them, they would change their
attitude... The time spent in criticizing the motives and works of Christ's servants
might better be spent in prayer. Often if those who find fault knew the truth in
regard to those with whom they find fault, they would have an altogether different
opinion of them. How much better it would be if, instead of criticizing and
condemning others, everyone would say : 'I must work out my own salvation. If
I co-operate with Him who desires to save my soul, I must watch myself diligently.
I must cut away every evil from my life. I must become a new creature in Christ.
I must overcome every fault. Then, instead of weakening those who are striving
against evil, I can strengthen them by encouraging words.' " — 8T: 83-84.
Quite probably from time to time words of criticism have come to your ears
that you simply "didn't want to know about", and you wish that you had never
heard. The next time someone comes to you with one of these unholy tales
concerning a brother's weakness, act disinterested, or_ point out to the teller a
noble trait in the accused one's character, perhaps such an-attitude will focus your
own mind on his good qualities so that you will soon forget the evil, and maybe
your obvious disinterest in the gossip story will help the teller to occupy himself
in the future with more constructive pursuits.
May-June 1970 MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER Page Three

Middle East Evangelist Salim Japas Earthquake

Continued from page one.
Holds First Public Meetings in Madrid needs. They left with a deep apprecia-
tion of what the Red Crescent has been
The first Seventh-day Adventist evan- believe that the law and the gospel doing for the victims and they praised
gelistic campaign in Madrid, Spain, was must be preached together.- the organization and efficiency of this
conducted by Middle East Division Meetings were held three nights a society.
evangelist Salim Japas during the last week in each church. One was a spir- New quakes have continued to shake
quarter of 1969. Madrid, the capital itual appeal, and the other two were the area so the population remains in
of Spain, is a city of 3,000,000 people. devoted to special Bible lessons. The tents and similar housing. The most
Elder Japas, known in the Middle lessons were printed and distributed fo pressing need is prefabricated housing
East as Elder Khabbaz, the ancestral those in attendance. Bibles were award- which can be quickly assembled. On
name of his family, is a Spanish-speak- ed to those who attended 16 times. The the scene a German rescue organization
ing citizen of Argentina with wide ex- Series was entitled, "Al Encuentro de has provided drinkable water from the
perience in presenting the Adventist is Felicidad (In Search of Happiness)." river source and began spinning Styro-
message in Roman Catholic lands. The foam domes five meters across at the
series of meetings was held concurrently base at the rate of two an hour for
Policies Revised
in two Adventist church buildings of use as temporary shelter.
Differences in pay between men and
Madrid. The Division officers report that fur-
women are to be eliminated over a five-
ther assistance to the earthquake victims
Reports from Madrid labeled the year period, according to an action of
in the reconstruction of their homes is
meetings a success with 22 persons bap- the Spring meeting of the Middle East
planned.
tized and others in classes for future Division committee, March 17 to 19.
baptism after follow-up work. The Previously, married women whose hus- New Treasurers
meetings were well attended in spite of bands were employed in the work re- New treasurers have been elected in
obstacles. Local newspapers refused ceived lower salaries. the Jordan, Syria and Egypt Sections.
even paid advertising. Invitations were Elected treasurer of Jordan is Husni
required to specify that the meetings Other policy revisions voted at the Kolta, formerly treasurer of the Egypt
were sponsored by the Adventists. Ad- meeting included a new detailed wage Section. In Egypt Antar Yacoub was
ventists are not well known and share scale for teachers and increases in the elected treasurer. Habib Banna, former-
in the suspicion usually cast upon Pro- benefits under the policies for advanced ly accountant at the Benghazi Hospital,
testant meetings in Spain. study by workers, national workers re- was named treasurer for the Syria
turning, and in-service worker training. Section.
The method employed by Elder Japas
to approach the people particularly im-
pressed the Spanish workers. Four min-
Aziz Family Called by Ethiopia
isters were associated with the cam- As Division's First Missionary Appointees
paign throughout the series and others
Aziz is from Jordan, and his wife is
came in for periods of two weeks to
from Assiut, Egypt. In Ethiopia they
study the method. Elder Salvador Iserte
plan to continue in medical work.
reported the meetings : -Brother Japas
It is planned that they will manage
has worked out his lessons in a very
an outstation clinic at Asciata, in the
practical, spiritual, and simple way,
Danakil desert near the border between
with great respect for the Roman Ca-
French Samaliland and Ethiopia. Some
tholic Church, though he never men-
Arabic is spoken in the area, which is
tioned it even once. His sweetness has
largely Muslim. The clinic provides the
been mingled with a strength and con-
only medical services in the area. This
viction in the exposition of the truth.-
clinic recently received funds from the
The Church of God was the theme mission extension offering given by Ad-
subject and the method was based upon Brother Bishara Aziz and his wife, ventist churches around the world.
the text, "Thou art Peter.- Workers Fawzia, under appointment as medical Both members of the missionary team
met once a week to discuss methods. workers to Ethiopia. received their training at the Dar Es-
A second weekly meeting was held in Salaam School of Nursing in Baghdad,
Bishara Aziz and his wife Fawzia are
each church with those who were vis- graduating in the class of 1959. Broth-
the first Middle Easterners to be se-
iting the interests and giving Bible stu- er Aziz later completed the program at
lected from the Middle East Division
dies. the American University of Beirut for
by the General Conference as missiona-
Constantino Ruiz-Garrido, a dis- a certified nurse anesthetist. At the
ry appointees. They have been called
tinguished personality of the Spanish Benghazi Adventist Hospital he op-
by the Northern European Division for
Protestant world who attended the erated the emergency room and worked
service in the Ethiopian Union.
meetings regularly commented : "The in the anesthesia department. His wife,
Seventh-day Adventist Church has dem- The Aziz family already has a back- the daughter of Wadia Kolta, worked
onstrated through the Japas campaign ground of mission experience, having as a staff nurse. She particularly enjoys
that it has something to say to the served within the division territory as work in the OB, Pediatrics, and dietetic
world and to the Christian Church. I missionary nurses in Libya. Brother departments.
 Page Four MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER May-June 1970

Ingathering Work Vacation Bible School at Rezayeh

Succeeds in Khusistan
Is Combined With Evangelistic Series
By R. M. Massey By Elder L. Curtis Miller Norooz Vacation Bible School in 1968
Evangelist, Iran Division department secretary when he was scheduled to hold a series
Once again the Lord has greatly They began gathering at the door of evangelistic meetings in Rezayeh.
blessed us in our ingathering work here more than an hour before opening time, "Why not," he said, "hold a Vacation
in Khusistan and by His grace we were and the buzz of their happy voices re- Bible School during the day and the
able to receive over 52,000 Rls. in cash minded us that we had best hurry to evangelistic meetings at night?"
and hope to receive another 5000 Rls. be ready for them. He remembered that in January,
which will put us 700% over our goal. "They" were the nearly sixty children 1968, Elder G. R. Nash, then General
Praise the Lord for this great accom- who came to register for the third an- Conference Sabbath School Department
plishment. nual Rezayeh Vacation Bible School Secretary, told of an evangelist in
Elder H. L. Gray, president of Iran that is held during Norooz, the Iranian Korea holding successful evening evan-
Section, and I spent one week visiting New Year holiday. While most Vaca- gelistic meetings that were supported
the managers of the shipping companies tion Bible School programs are held by a Vacation Bible School program
and business men in Abadan, Khorram- during the summer months, this one during the day. Iran Section workers
shahr and Ahwas. They were all very held in Rezayeh shows that any time tried it in 1968 and found that the
friendly and hospitable and appreciated can be Vacation Bible School time. plan works in the Middle East. Evan-
our medical, educational and welfare Elder H. L. Gray, Iran Section Pre- gelistic meetings and a Vacation Bible
work. Many of these men said that sident and Sabbath School Department School program complement each other
they had never heard of a society Secretary, conceived the idea of a Conti 'led in next column.
doing such good work for poor and
needy. Not only were we able to receive
good donations from them but we had
opportunities to talk to them about our
belief and teaching. One very fine
Italian man said that he had heard
about the Seventh-day Adventists and
he wanted to know more. This gave us
opportunity to explain some of our
principles.
While talking to the manager of one
shipping company, I said, "Friend, last
year we missed you because you were
not here." He said, "I will give you
double so that you will not forget me
next year." He gave 10,000 Rls. and
requested us to visit his house. I am
studying the Bible with this family.
In Ahwas a very fine business man,
after giving us 5,000 Rls., said, "Please
accept my small donation for your
noble work." Truly the Spirit of the Craft time ab.torbj the interes of children attending the Vacation Bible School
Lord has been moving upon the hearts a. Rezayeh in Iran.
of the people and we have seen the
result of it.
The servant of the Lord said in the
book Counsels on Stewardship, p. 191,
that many who are not of our faith
have been made acquainted with the
progress of the third angels message
by ingathering work. As we visited
these people, we left truth-filled litera-
ture with them. Who knows but that
one day they may accept our message.
We are living in the last days of this
world's history. Soon the end will
come. The Lord wants us to use every
possible method to finish His work. I
believe that through ingathering work
we can bring many lost souls to the Ahmad Farnoody and Alice Hovsepian lead the Vacation Bible School students
knowledge of the truth. during their music period.
May-June 1970 MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER Page Five

by providing something of interest for

both children and adults. It has been
proven around the world that we can
reach the hearts of parents through
their children.
This year's Vacation Bible School in
Rezayeh was under the direction of
Alice Hovsepian. She was assisted by
Ahmad Farnoody, George Terzibashian,
H. L. Gray, and L. C. Miller. Over 150
attended the nightly evangelistic meet-
ings conducted by Pastors Terzibashian
and Miller. Most of those in attend-
ance were young people of high school
and university age.
The children at the Vacation Bible
School enjoyed lively song services,
games, and crafts, while learning les-
sons for eternity from the Bible and
from the character-building stories told
by the Vacation Bible School workers.
The presence of the same children
Left to Right: Douglas Macautay, Mark Sheffield, Violet entland, Harold
each year shows that a Vacation Bible
Johnson, James Hamer, Hampton Walker, and Gregory Doyle, members of the
School can be a good evangelistic public
brass ensemble. They are seen playing at the Belmont monastery.
relations procedure. Twenty-nine of the
children present this year had also at-
tended the two previous years and College Musicians Popular in Lebanon
thirty-three returned from last year.
We hear reports from around the world Musicians from Middle East College ence, "The sound was excellent."
that Vacation Bible School programs have been popular during early 1970, Bishop Haziem of the Greek orthodox
held in connection with public evange- judged by the number of performances church was present and invited the
listic meetings pay in souls saved. If given in Lebanon. group back to the monastery for a
it happens elsewhere, it can happen in The college chorale group, scheduled formal program.
your church. Why not try it? to sing the Easter portion of the Mes- The college band, which Ray Doyle
siah, May 8, has presented music pro- also directs, presented a program at
Turkey Church Women grams at two churches. The first was the Bourj Hammoud Adventist Church,
Sister Anahid Benzatyan, of the given in January at the American Com- and has programs scheduled for Zahle,
munity Church in Beirut. April 11, Bishmezzine, Aramoun, and Museitbeh.
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Istan-
bul, was chosen by Church Women the chorale sang at the Bourj-Hammoud Sunday afternoon lawn concerts are
Seventh-day Adventist Church. planned at Middle East College and the
United of that city to organize the an-
Because of its size and composition American University of Beirut. The
nual World Day of Prayer observances,
March 6, there. the chorale did not qualify as a parti- band played at Suk al-Gharb School
cipant in the annual choral festival at March 1, and plans to return there to
The World Day of Prayer brings
the Beirut College for Women, April participate in their commencement ex-
Christian women of many denomina-
19, but as "the best choir in Lebanon," ercises.
tions together annually for an interna-
the group was invited to attend as
tional prayer fellowship in which Ad- The music department at Middle
guest. The chorale has worked especial-
ventists frequently participate. Advent- East College is headed by Dr. Melvin
ly hard this year, acquiring a new
ist women in Istanbul have regularly West, on loan from Walla Walla Col-
anthem for its repertoire every two
joined the observances. lege where he is chairman of the de-
weeks. Dr. West is the chorale director.
The 1970 service was held in the A brass ensemble, directed by Ray partment of music. He is an organ re-
Seventh-day Adventist Church under Doyle of the music department staff, citalist and presented a concert of organ
the leadership of Sister Benzatyan. has been active. They have given per- music at the German Community
During the fellowship hour following formances in the Adventist churches at Church in Ras Beirut, April 13. Dr.
the prayer service, Adventist ladies the Beirut Center, College Park, Mu- West is a fellow of the American Guild
served lemonade and cookies. seitbeh, Bawshiriya, and Bishmezzine. of Organists and a doctor in organ per-
The following churches participated Another performance was given at the formance.
in the observances : Anglican, Armenian American University of Beirut. Individual musicians and small
Catholic, Armenian Gregorian, Arme- Perhaps the most exciting concert groups supply the music for the wor-
nian Protestant, Chaldean Catholic, for the brass ensemble was one given ship services at the College Park
French Catholic, German Catholic, at the Belmont Monastery in North Church. Guided by Marlene Gilleroth
German Protestant, Greek Protestant, Lebanon. The hall was built in 1128. of the music department staff, many
Italian Catholic, Saint Trinite, The selections of sacred music had been have contributed special music to the
Seventh-day Adventist, Syrian Ortho- composed for just such a setting and evangelistic meetings in the Bawshiriya
dox, Syriani Kadim, and Union Church. as Director Doyle reports the experi- Church.
Page Six MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER May-June 1970

EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY
LEAVES DWELLINGS SHATTERED,
VEHICLES WRECKED,

Photographs by Manuk Benzatyan.

NO
HOUSE
FOR
WORSHIP, ... BUT HELP COMES.

TENTS AND BLANKETS

MOBILE KITCHENS

STYROFOAM SHELTERS
 May-June 1970 MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER Page Seven

LIFE
MUST
GO ON

EVEN FOR THE HOMELESS,

AND A NEW FUTURE BE PLANNED.

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS HELP

See story on page one.
Page Eight MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER May-June 1970

Gift Bible Plan G. C. Session Plans

In Cyprus, Beirut, Continued from page one,

Graduates Students prayer room. Here visitors will be in-

vited to stop for a moment's meditation
Graduation presentations to those
concerning the needs and opportunities
who have completed the Bible Speaks
of the Middle East and then to present
lessons were made recently in Lebanon
them personally before the Lord. Flash
and Cyprus as a result of the Gift Bible
announcements on the screen of the
plan. Under the plan persons receive
main auditorium will carry the invita-
a gift Bible for undertaking to do the
tion to pray in this room.
lessons.
A formal graduation ceremony was Off the center stage, but nevertheless
conducted at the Adventist Center in of special interest will be Sister Dia-
Beirut, March 20, for graduates of the rnondola Ashod telling the young
twenty-lesson course sponsored by the people about her "resurrection." The
members of the church there. There Ashods after long years of service in
were twelve graduates. various places in the Middle East have
In Cyprus, Dean 0. McDaniel, pres- retired in Tennessee.
ident of the Cyprus Section, reported The regular delegates from the Mid-
sixty graduates. Here a 24-lesson course dle East Division are Habib Ghali,
leads to graduation, and diplomas have George Ghazal, H. L. Gray, Rafic Issa,
been mailed or awarded individually. Salim Japas, George Khoury, Salim
At the Beirut presentation graduates Majeed, Minas Megurditchian, J. A.
Elder Dean 0. McDaniel presents a
were awarded a diploma by Nathan Sines, Kenneth L. Vine, George Yared,
graduation certificate to George Vassi-
Dawood, an evangelistic worker at the and Kivork Yeshil.
liou, the government urator at ancient
Center, and were given a new Bible by Salamis where Paul and Barnabas stop- R. L. Jacobs, Maurice Katrib, L. C.
Elder Harley Bresee, the Center direc- ped on their first journey. Miller, R. C. Mills, Manoug Nazirian,
tor. The new Bible, of the family Bible Harold N. Sheffield, and F. C. Webster
type, was given in exchange for the the desire of each of the Cyprus Sec- are the delegates at large.
used Bible from which the lessons had tion members that the great interest Expected to be present as representa-
been studied. shown here in this form of Bible evan- tives of the Middle East Division are
Elder Bresee reports that some of A, E. Ashod, John Hasso, Anoosh Ke-
gelism will inspire others to try it also.
the graduates are now studying courses The Cyprus Section sincerely requests shishzadeh, Issa Kharma, Dr. D. C.
from the Voice of Prophecy correspond- your continued support by remembering Ludington, Vigain Marcarian, Dean 0.
ence school and that others are taking this program and each student of it in McDaniel, Henry Melki, and Samir
personal advanced lessons from Brother your prayers." Shahin.
Dawood.
The Cypriot graduates continue their
Bible studies in an advanced course of
12 lessons available there.
Results of the Gift Bible plan, ac-
cording to the report of Elder Mc-
Daniel, include a story hour conducted
Sabbath afternoons in Famagusta by
Elder Paul Horton, Doctor John A.
Sines, Nancy Johnson, and their fami-
lies. One student has stated his desire
to keep the Sabbath and others are at
the point of making a decision.
Both Elder Bresee and Elder Mc-
Daniel urge further use of the Gift
Bible plan. Said Elder Bresee: "This
is the first phase in putting the whole
center church into the same Gift Mble
evangelism program. If one person
working can see such large results,
what will be seen when all our lay
members join with the pastors in all
our churches?"
He answers, "We will finish our task
and see Jesus come. The Gift Bible aleed Naseeb Abujawdeh receives a gift Bible at graduation exercises, March
plan really works. Let's work the plan." 20, for the Bible Speaks school at the Beirut Center. Elder Bresee presented the
Elder McDaniel comments : "It is Bible. Brothel Nathan Dawood, in background, presented him with the certificate.
May-June 1970 MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER Page Nine

tal section of the National Conserva-

FROM HERE AND THERE tory.
BEIRUT, LEBANON. A series of AMMAN, JORDAN. Brother Basim ISTANBUL, TURKEY. The wed-
health lessons written by Dr. Herschel Aziz, a ministerial worker in the Iraq ding of Brother Esat Kaymaz and Janet
Lamp, assistant professor in the school Section, was married, April 26, in the Sogut was celebrated, March 1, in the
of public health, Loma Linda Univer- Adventist church on Jabal Amman, to Istanbul Adventist church. Elder Manuk
sity, and formerly medical department Dilal Azar, daughter of Elder Mousa Benzatyan officiated. A large number
secretary of the Middle East Division, Azar of the Jordan Section. Elder of visitors,- from the Syriani Orthodox
has been accepted for publication by Angely Gayed conducted the service. church attended the wedding.
the Middle East Press. The lessons are COLLEGE PARK, LEBANON. Mid- ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN. Elder
planned as a replacement for those of- dle East College presented Najla Abu- Robert Darnell, Division field secretary,
fered in the division correspondence j auda in a recital of Lebanese art songs, has been awarded a doctor of philo-
schools. They have been written after April 4, in the college auditorium. She sophy degree by the University of
a careful research of the health needs was joined by the Ahlia Chorale and a Michigan here. He completed his pro-
of the area and include a basic religious group of children singers. Jame H. gram in the department of Near East-
philosophy acceptable to Muslims and Laster, professor of music at the Beirut ern languages and literatures with a
Christians. College for Women, played the piano specialty in Muslim religious literature.
COLLEGE PARK, LEBANON. The accompaniment. Also on the program The title of his dissertation was, "The
Middle East College bakery has an- were some oud improvisations played Idea of Divine Covenant in the
nounced plans to replace their out-of- by George Farah, director of the orien- Qur'an."
date worn-out ice cream equipment
with modern machinery by the summer Three Baptisms held in New Church
season. Ice cream purchasers assure the
bakery of increased orders when the A man hired to lay blocks and stone demonstrating the fundamental Chris-
in the walls of the recently constructed tian doctrines of Seventh-day Ad-
new techniques and quality controls
Bawshiriya church was the first to be ventists. Other doctrines given emphasis
are used.
baptized in its pool. He is Brother were those connected to the Bible teach-
TEHRAN, IRAN. Elder Robert
Nickell, director of the Tehran Advent- Jacob Afram, an Assyrian from the ings concerning the second coming of
ist Center, reported the visit of a young Bawshiriya community. The baptism Jesus and the Sabbath.
Persian to the Center who told of was the first in a series of three con-
The presentations were characterized
having seen Jesus in a dream. Accord- nected with a public series of meetings
by the frequent use of visual aids.
ing to his story he was instructed to in the church.
Picture slides, flannelgraph arrange-
become a Seventh-day Adventist. The The speaker for the ten-week series, ments, blackboard drawings, and illus-
next evening he attended the service at Brother Shahadah Halabi, preached trative objects were employed.
the Center and accepted arrangements under the theme title, "In Search of
for Bible studies. At the time of Elder Happiness (fi talabi 's-Saadah)," The Music features were prominent. The
Nickell's report he had completed sev- pastor and associate pastor, Elders Middle East College band performed at
eral studies and accepted all the truths Salim Japas and Sainir Shahin, assisted one meeting. There were 15 minutes of
presented. in the planning and visiting. sacred concert every Friday night. Mu-
BEIRUT, LEBANON. The Lebanon sic was arranged by Marlene
Three baptismal services spaced at Gilleroth of the Middle East College
Section has called J. W. Whitehouse, approximately two - week intervals
of the Benghazi Hospital, to open new music department. Elder Samir Shahin
brought 16 persons into church fellow- led occasional song services.
work in Bekfaya, Lebanon. The town ship. The attendance remained constant
is at the center of a heavily populated throughout the series, nearly filling the Other features included a weekly
mountain area in which there has been 160 capacity church three nights a week health talk by Doctor Harold Sheffield,
no previous Adventist work. —Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Division medical department secretary,
AMMAN, JORDAN. Radio Amman and a motion picture series depicting
in Jordan has rescheduled the broad- The meetings were promoted by the the life of Christ. One evening a round
cast of "Your Radio Doctor" for 1 : 00 use of a banner on the church property, table discussion on marriage and court-
p.m. Saturday afternoons. It was for- and the distribution of handbills in the ship was presented.
merly carried at 5 : 30 p.m. Wednesday. church neighborhood. Church laymen,
Meetings for children were conducted
The program is provided the station organized by the Bawshiriya church
simultaneously in a separate hall two
by the Voice of Prophecy in Los An- lay activities leader, Elder Maurice
nights a week. These were directed by
geles, California. Katrib, visited homes with personal in-
Sister Mary Lou Segar and attracted
COLLEGE PARK, LEBANON. Stu- vitations, and the secondary school at
up to 50 children at a meeting.
dents enrolled in Experimental and ag- Bawshiriya led by Principal Jad Katrib,
ricultural Science at Middle East Col- promoted attendance at the meetings Personal visitation was carefully or-
lege will have the use of a new weather among the students and their parents. ganized and employed the laity of the
station, according to Baldur Pfeiffer, The audience attracted was mostly church as well as the evangelist, the
head of the agriculture program. The young men of the Bawshiriya commu- pastor, and assistant pastor. Many
station will aid in planning crop pro- nity, from various religious back- homes have been opened and it is be-
duction at the college and be available grounds. lieved that continued interest and bap-
to the science department for their The subjects presented concentrated tisms will result from the evangelistic
courses, he said. on the doctrine of Christ and salvation, efforts of the church.
Page Ten MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER May-June 1970

The Whole Session is a Prayer Season The Adventist World

Denomination leaders expect that when the 51st session of the "INSIGHT" BEGINS PUBLICATION
General Conference meets in Atlantic City, June 7-20, it will attract The name Insight has been selected
30,000 Seventh-day Adventists. Of these, only 1,500 will be delegates. for the new Adventist youth magazine,
The others will come not to participate in the business but to share in which will make its debut May 5. The
the blessing. name was selected by a committee of
nine judges from more than 3400
There is the blessing of fellowship. Even if one knows but few entries in the "Help the Happening"
persons, he is aware that they have come from all corners of the world. contest. Winner of the $100 first prize
He senses the joy of being part of the great movement for God. is Miss Kit Watts, of Ade1phi, Mary-
However, one is apt to meet school mates and former associates in land, who was the first of 25 persons
to submit Insight.
the work, stir up memories of God's providences in the past, and hear
news of what God has done for each as he has gone his special way. CAUSE OF ALCOHOLISM PROBED
There is a blessing in observing the business of the session. As Elder Ernest H. J. Steed, executive
director of the International Commis-
leaders are chosen, reports considered, and goals defined God gives a
sion for the Prevention of Alcoholism,
sense of confidence that this is His work. There is no doubt but that and Dr. Lawrence A. Senseman, pre-
His church is the one object of His supreme regard. sident of the commission, have devel-
While the Holy Spirit works in many ways in that which happens oped a program on the cause of alco-
holism known as the Four-Dimensional
to the life at such a gathering, there are sermons and Bible study hours
Key to the Cause of Alcoholism. The
which especially reach deep into the heart. There are seasons of prayer program examines both the role of
which take one close to the throne. The encounter with God is one alcohol and of the user in alcoholism
treasured and long remembered. with attention to the four "dimensions"
of man : physical, mental, social, and
It is planned that the 1970 gathering will be strong in spiritual
spiritual.
impact. The opening Sabbath has been set aside as a day of fasting and
prayer. Believers around the world can share in this day, thus uniting NEW CHURCH FARTHEST SOUTH
The denomination's southern-most
with the brethren in Atlantic City. The prayers of God's people may
church is now the newly organized
be heard as one voice seeking righteousness and strength. Ushuaia church in Argentina. It lies on
The whole session will be a prayer season. Besides the invocations, the 55th parallel, 300 miles south of
benedictions, and other prayers which are part of every meeting, Punta Arenas, Chile, which previously
represented the utmost of the denomi-
whether general or business, responsible persons will be giving hours
nation's southern reach. Ushuaia is
to prayer that they may stand in this gathering as God wants them to closer to the south pole than the south-
stand. Volunteer prayer bands among the various division delegations ern coasts of Africa and New Zealand,
will be meeting all over Atlantic City. Each morning just before lunch but still about a hundred miles short
the business meetings will yield to an hour of Bible study and prayer. of the tip of South America.
While Adventists in attendance will seek a blessing for themselves STUDENTS SING FOR NIXON
and God's work, they will also seek to be a blessing. A five-day stop- Fifteen students from Columbia Un-
smoking clinic will be held at noon for the business men and others ion College sang at the White House,
home of President Nixon of the United
of Atlantic City. A new program for handling alcohol problems will
States, for a Sunday morning service
also be presented to the public there attended by the president, his
It is expected that many of those at the meeting will share their family, and high government officials.
blessings with the Middle East Division. They are to be invited to the STUDENTS JOIN "OTHERS CLUB"
Division exhibition booth to become acquainted with the special needs The Help Other People Club, spon-
of this field. There they will find a secluded place of prayer. As they sored by Christian Youth Action, the
kneel they will pray for these special needs. religious division of the Andrews Uni-
versity student association, has attracted
One may ask, will these who pray for the work in the Middle fifty members, both men and women.
East find those of us who carry the burden of performing the work on Members tackle community clean-up
our knees? It must be so. The time of the General Conference Session jobs, help the elderly, and provide a
wide variety of services.
is not a time alone for the world leaders to reconsecrate themselves and
seek God's direction. It is not a time alone for the thousands who UNIVERSITY SENDS STUDENTS
attend the session to seek a blessing and to pray for us. It is a time for Loma Linda University is sending
more than 50 students to overseas fields
us all, as an important part of the world church, to renew our commit-
for sevice during 1970-71. Half of
ments to God, take hold of the merits of Jesus Christ, and work with the the students are voluntarily postponing
Holy Spirit. Continued in next column.
May-June 1970 MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER Page Eleven

graduation one full year in order to do

the mission work.
NIGERIA HOSPITAL REOPENS
The Seventh-day Adventist hospital
at Ahoada, Nigeria, is to reopen, offi- May-June 1970
cials of the West African Union have Volume XIX, Number 2
announced. Although buildings were Registered 1970, Ministry of Informa-
damaged during the strife, they can be tion, Beirut, Lebanon.
used. War damage left the hospital Responsible editor, Manoug Nazirian.
without water, electricity, and medical
equipment. The former North Ngwa Author J. 0. Iversen presents a dedica- Editor Robert Darnell
hospital is still in use as an army camp. tion copy of his new book to Elder H. Published bi-monthly as the journal of
Some 1,000 Adventists died during the M. S. Richards. the General Conference of Seventh-day
conflict in eastern Nigeria. Adventists, Middle East Division, Box
NEW BOOK 2020, Beirut, Lebanon
NO ROOM IN OSAKA Described by Religious Broadcaster
Adventist travelers among the 50 Elder H. M. S. Richards as "the first DIVISION DIRECTORY
million visitors expected to attend the up-to-date full coverage of radio and President F. C. Webster
1970 World's Fair in Osaka, Japan, television procedure in the proclamation Secretary Ray L. Jacobs
cannont expect to find mission facilities of the Word by Seventh-day Advent- Treasurer & Auditor R. C. Mills
available for housing in that area, it ists," a new book has been published Field Secretary Robert Darnell
was announced by the public relations by the Review and Herald as a manual Asst. Auditor George Yared
department of the Far Eastern Division. on broadcasting for the local pastor. Cashiers Mary Ghazal, Rafic Issa
Even hotel space is at a premium, so It is So You're Going on the Air, by
Department Secretaries
housing arrangements should be made Elder J. Orville Iversen. Included are
scripts from a number of the most suc- Education Ray L. Jacobs
through one's travel agency well in
cessful radio programs. Health & Temperance (Acting)
advance.
Dr. Harold Sheffild
Lay Activities, Missionary Volunteer
Northern European Division Extends (Acting) Manoug Nazirian
Ministerial, Radio, Sabbath School
Work to Republic of Upper Volta L. Curtis Miller
By Dr. B. B. Beach the first evangelistic campaign in our Public Relations, Religious Liberty,
Department secretary new and first center in Lome, the capital Religious Research ... Robert Darnell
Northern European Division of Togo. This is the latest country in Publishing Maurice Katrib
Africa where we have opened the work.
The aim of the Advent Movement Our Sabbath School members around Division Evangelists
simply and speedily to prepare the way the world had supported through a Salim Japas George Khoury
for the coming of the Lord has always recent Thirteenth Sabbath project the National Church Headquarters
been the purpose of the Northern Eu- building of this fine center, providing CYPRUS : 32 Gladstone St. (Box
ropean Division. This is what its exec- us with a meeting hall and thus making 1984), Nicosia. Dean McDaniel, pre-
utive committee intended when it chal- the holding of campaigns a reality. The sident. Phone 76142.
lenged the church's world-wide mem- only other two halls in Lome belong to
bership to a large first quarter overflow EGYPT : 16 Avenue de Koubbeh (Box
the Evangelical Protestant and Roman
offering. 12), Heliopolis. Habib Ghali, president.
Catholic Churches respectively. We
Phone 860292.
Three projects were named to bene- have now been able to accomplish a
fit: public relations and evangelistic break- IRAN : 111 Pahlavi Ave., Tehran.
through, reaching some of the finest Harold L. Gray, president. Phone
(1) Finishing the work in Ethiopia
people in this French-speaking city. 4-4525.
with the help of the right arm of the
message exerting itself through a splen- This is what we want to be able to IRAQ: Sadoun A112/ 2 / 1, Nidhal St.
did new hospital; do in the great republic of Upper (Box 2077); Baghdad. Hilal Dose, pre-
Volta, where today we still have no sident. Phone 84971.
(2) Finishing the work in Poland work. With my own eyes I have seen JORDAN : Abu Bakr St. (Box 2404),
with the help of the educational heart the crying educational, medical and Jabal Amman, Amman. Jon Green,
of the body of Christ; evangelistic needs of this unentered president. Phone 25345.
(3) Opening for the first time the country. But thanks to your Sabbath
work in Upper Volta in order not only LEBANON: Hotel Dieu St. (Box
School, and thousands of others on all
to write another chapter of missionary 3715), Beirut, Chafic Srour, president.
continents, 1970 marks the year when
heroism, but to help finish the storming Phone 226535.
the "Upper Volta" entered the Seventh-
of the remaining bastions of paganism SYRIA : Box 839, Damascus. Gabriel
day Adventist vocabulary and the ad-
through coordinated evangelistic ad- Katrib, president. Phone 42441.
vance-guard of Christ's last legion cros-
vance. sed geographical and spiritual borders SUDAN : Box 724, Khartoum.
I know that Thirteenth Sabbath pro- to conquer another enemy bastion for TURKEY : 14 Saray Arkasi, Ayazpasa,
jects project evangelistic success. A few Christ. The logistic support of your Taksim, Istanbul. Manuk Benzatyan,
months ago I had the joy of conducting offerings spells success. president. Phone 49-14-48.
 Page Twelve MIDDLE EAST MESSENGER May-June 1970

Graduation Planned
Graduation Exercises for the 1969-70
school year were announced at Middle
East College for June 19 to 21. The
commencement program is scheduled
for 6 p.m., Sunday, with Dr. William
Schechter, president of the Beirut Col-
lege for Women, as speaker. Dr. Sieg-
fried Schwantes, head of the depart-
ment of religion at Middle East Col-
lege, will give the Consecration sermon,
and Dr. Robert Darnell, Division field
secretary, the Baccalaureate sermon.
The class of 1970 was formally pre-
sented at the college, February 9, with
13 members. The officers are Muham-
mad Shakibnia, president; Nabil Abu
Five persons baptized during an evangelistic campaign in Heliopolis, Egypt, Nassar, vice-president; Nadema Bibi,
January 16 to February 28, are seen in front of the workers. Back row, left to secretary-treasurer; and Raymond Wil-
right: Heliopolis Church Pastor Sobhi Fahim, Sabri Azar, Najeeb Nakhle, Evan- liam, chaplain. Dean Ignatious Yacoub
gelist George Khoury, and Egypt Section President Habib Ghali. was chosen as faculty sponsor.
The class aim is "Perfection, and
the motto, "Conceive, Endeavor, Con-
quer." Their colors are gold and black;
their flower, the rose.

Church Calendar
SPECIAL DAYS
June 7 World Prayer Day
June 13 Baptismal Sabbath
July 4 Medical Missionary Day
August 1 Pioneer Evangelism Day
OFFERINGS
June 6 Church Lay Activities
June 13 Church Expense
June 20 Section Projects
June 27 Berlin Work
Church Expense
July 4 Church Lay Activities
July 11 Church Expense
4 July 18 Midsummer Offering
Seen in the picture is the food given, March 11, to tne Atmeman old pleople's
home in Aleppo, Syria. The home is jointly operated by three denominations. July 25 Church Expense
Adventist workers in the picture are Elders Ziki Hanawi (third from left) and SUNSET TABLES
Gabriel Katrib (right). Seventh-day Adventists also made a sim—ir gift in 1969. 5 12 19 26
Amman 6:39 6 : 42 6:44 6:46
Baghdad 7:12 7 : 16 7:19 7:20
Beirut 6:45 6:49 6:51 6:53
Cairo 6:53 6:56 6:58 7:00
Isfahan 7:09 7:12 7:14 7:16
Istanbul 7:32 7:36 7:39 7:40
Luxor 6:38 6:41 6:43 6:44
Tabriz 7:43 7:47 7:50 7 : 51
Tehran 7:16 7:20 7:22 7 : 24
3 10 17 24 31
Amman 6:46 6:45 6:43 6:39 6:34
Baghdad 7 : 20 7 : 18 7 : 16 7 : 12 7 : 07
Beirut 6 : 53 6 : 51 6 : 48 6:44 6:40
Cairo 7 : 00 6 : 59 6 : 57 6: 54 6 : 49
Isfahan 7: 16 7: 14 7: 12 7 : 08 7 : 03
Istanbul 7 : 40 7: 37 7: 34 7: 29 7 : 23
Luxor 6 : 44 6:44 6:43 6 : 40 6:36
Brother George Ghazal (left), treasurer of Middle East College, is seen extoling Tabriz 7 : 50 7 : 48 7 : 46 7 : 41 7 : 35
the value Of "College Maid" bread to Michael Sassine, deputy speaker of the Tehran 7 : 24 7 : 22 7 : 20 7 : 16 7 : 10
Lebanese House of Representatives, during his visit to the college, February 19. Table prepared by Raymond F. Cottrell.