n response to the best-selling book and thriller movie, "Left Behind," the 12-million member Seventh-day Adventist Church today has urged its North American congregations to conduct Bible studies and discussions to help its members understand Biblical truths about the future, and to spread the word across America and Canada that there won't be a secret rapture.

"As devout Bible followers, we do not find Biblical support for the secret rapture theories presented in the book or movie, but we're not interested in waging a negative campaign," said Kermit Netteburg, spokesperson for the Adventist Church in North America. "We do think this is a good opportunity for Adventist Christians to share our faith and confident hope in the soon return of Christ, and dispel unnecessary fears or confusion about the future."

Netteburg reports that on February 21, as many as 1,000 Seventh-day Adventist churches in the United States and Canada will host a seminar and discussion designed to counterbalance popular teachings about the secret rapture, Israel's projected role, and Armageddon. The purpose is to help people understand what really will take place in the future, according to the Bible. The 10-part seminar will be presented, in part, via satellite by Steve Wohlberg, a pastor and author of a new book on the topic. The book, "Truth Left Behind" has just been released by Pacific Press Publishing Association.

North American Division officials also established a website (www.nadadventist.org/leftbehind) that lists resources available for use in teaching about last-day events.

Church Leader Urges Caution in U.S.
Government Funding of Faith-based Charities
A plan to allow faith-based welfare organizations to compete for federal grants will be difficult to implement in a way that preserves separation of church and state, says Dr. Clarence Hodges, North American Division vice president and public affairs and religious liberty director.

On January 29, United States president George Bush unveiled the details of his initiative to fund religious charities, saying that faith-based programs and community groups "have proven their power to save and change lives."

"This is a matter that must be watched very closely," says Hodges. "President Bush has made it very clear that these federal grants will not fund religious enterprises, but only those social services that are clearly humanitarian in nature. While we would prefer to keep the separation between church and state as clear as possible, this is an item we can live with if the proper safeguards are maintained."

Hodges says the Adventist Church in North America has long advocated the principle of separation of church and state as the best way to ensure a healthy independence for religious groups and to prevent the possibility of religion-based discrimination in the distribution of state funds. –-Adventist News Network

Calvin Moseley Passes Away
Calvin Edwin Moseley, who was affectionately known as "the father of preachers," passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2001, at the Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. He was 95.
Born January 7, 1906, to Calvin and Lilly Belle Moseley, Sr., he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Harriett Slater Moseley; two daughters, Mrs. Harriett (Donald) Keith of Willow River, Minnesota, and Mrs. Barbara (Mervyn) Warren; and five grandchildren. According to the Huntsville Times newspaper, Moseley first learned about the Bible through the internationally known scientist George Washington Carver.

Moseley began his ministry in 1934 as the first African American Chairman of the Bible Department at Oakwood Junior College (later Oakwood College). He was also the first African American pastor of the Oakwood College Church. At Oakwood, Moseley trained hundreds of ministers for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In 1951 he joined the staff of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as a general field secretary, serving for 20 years until his retirement in 1971. After retirement, he again taught part-time at Oakwood College in the Department of Religion and Theology from 1972 until the 1980s.

Moseley also established the Moseley Scholarship Fund offering scholarships for students who want to study religion or theology. This fund has been a blessing to many students.

Just one year ago, Moseley's life and ministry were chronicled in a Huntsville Times feature article. This article was reprinted in the Review's August 2000 issue.

Attention Adventist Professionals
In response to a growing need for qualified professionals, the General Conference has launched an electronic registry of Adventists who hold the minimum of a master's degree or equivalent in any field. The Adventist Professionals' Network (APN) assists participating institutions and agencies in locating consultants with expertise, volunteers for short mission assignments, and candidates for positions in teaching, research, and administration. It also fosters international networking among Adventists in various professions. APN, however, does not function as an employment agency.

If you have earned at least a master's degree or its equivalent and are active within your profession, you may join APN by personally registering at the APN web site at apn.adventist.org. For more information, contact APN at 110173.1405@compuserve.com.

News Notes
New Doctoral Program. The Trans-European Division and Newbold College in Binfield, England, have launched a Doctor of Ministry degree program to commence this summer at the college. The Doctor of Ministry program will be offered for two months a year over the next four years. The curriculum will explore the personal life and spirituality of the pastor, examine the worldviews and cultures of our societies, assist in developing visions and strategies for mission, and in writing a dissertation or project.

For applications and further information, pastors are encouraged to contact Pastor Orville Woolford, education director of the Trans-European Division, who has been negotiating the details of this program, on <106275.3014@compuserve.com>, or telephone: +44 1727 860331.

Sung Kwon, an eight-year veteran in community services, has been appointed as the new Adventist Community Services National Executive Director.

Kwon has served as director of The Good Neighbor House in Dayton, Ohio since 1993. Kwon replaces John Gavin who led ACS for the past six years.