President of Adventist Risk Management Dies
Robert L. Sweezey, Adventist Risk Management died in Ft. Laurderdale, Fla., on Oct. 16, 2009, at the age of 52. As risk manager for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Sweezey served as president of Gencon Insurance Company of Vermont, the church’s captive insurer, and Gencon Insurance Company International, Ltd.
An ARM press release states that Sweezey will be remembered as someone who used his vision and direction to lead the company through challenging financial deficits when he took over in 1992. He worked to underwrite insurance policies that currently ensure 90 percent of the church’s facilities and institutions worldwide. Sweezey was a 1980 graduate of Walla Walla University (then Walla Walla College).
Source: Adventist News Network
Former Adventist Communication Director Dies
James E. Chase, a Seventh-day Adventist radio evangelist and church administrator, who later served as the Adventist World Church communication director from 1979–1984, died in Loma Linda, Calif., on Sept. 11, 2009, at the age of 89. Chase served as Washington Conference president from 1972–1978, amid a career of distinguished service in communication and church administration. Chase visited 160 countries while representing the Adventist Church.
“James Chase will be remembered for his professional approach to diverse Adventist communication functions and response to the needs of his time,” says Rajmund Dabrowski, current Adventist World Church communication director. “Streamlining those functions serves the church well today.”
Source: Adventist News Network
New Adventist YouTube Series
A new video series launched by the Seventh-day Adventist Church on YouTube is offering viewers a distinctly Adventist take on a variety of social issues. Adventists About Life is a production of the World Church communication department, and features videos on topics such as freedom, the environment and faith versus science.
View the videos at: www.youtube.com/adventistsaboutlife.
Annual Growth Again Surpasses 1 Million
For the sixth year in a row the Seventh-day Adventist Church is reporting member gains of more than 1 million. During the year ending June 30, 2009, an average of 2,818 people joined the church every day, bringing the world membership total to 16,049,101 baptized believers. Church leaders initially projected a World Church membership of 17 million by 2009, but that number was reduced after corrected membership reports from several church regions.
Source: Adventist News Network
Adventists the Subject of New Documentary Film
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Martin Doblmeier is releasing a new film that explores the body, mind and spirit connections inherent in the health message of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The film will be available this month through Journey Films: www.journeyflims.com. It is also scheduled to appear on PBS Television stations in April 2010.
