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Adventist Sworn in as EEOC Chair

ari M. Dominquez was officially sworn in December 4, 2001, to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Nominated by President George W. Bush on May 10 and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in July 2001, her five-year term expires July 1, 2006. Dominquez, a member of the Olney, Maryland, Seventh-day Adventist Church, also served during the previous Bush administration. There she spearheaded the Labor Department's "Glass Ceiling Initiative"--designed to remove workplace barriers affecting the advancement of individuals on the basis of race, gender, or disability.

Dominguez (pictured right) brings to the Commission a well-established commitment to equal opportunity and diversity, accompanied by a recognized track-record in effective, innovative leadership and management, and reaching common ground on complex employment issues. She formerly served as a primary consultant, held senior positions at two international executive search firms, and was a partner in the world's leading executive search firm.

On hand for the ceremony were Edward Motscheidler, secretary of the Columbia Union Conference; Frank Perez, president and chief executive officer of Kettering Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio (and Cari's older brother); Rear Admiral Barry C. Black, an Adventist minister who serves as chief of chaplains for the U.S. Navy; and Dr. Randal Wisbey, president of Columbia Union College.

Two Selected as Torchbearers
for 2002 Winter Olympics
"So let your light so shine" will become an actuality when two Seventh-day Adventists carry the Olympic flame through their communities. Selected from more than 210,000 nominations, DeWayne Boyer and John Sackett, will join other similarly honored torchbearers to pass the flame until it reaches its ultimate destination on February 8 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

DeWayne Boyer (pictured right), a Bible teacher at Takoma Academy (MD), was nominated as a torchbearer in recognition of his active promotion and encouragement of organ donation. Erin, 17-year old daughter of DeWayne and Beverly, died suddenly in 1998, and as a result of their decision became an organ donor. Many individuals now live healthy and enriched lives because of this act of generosity. Boyer carried the Olympic flame as it passed through Washington, D.C. in late December.

Hospital CEO John Sackett, will pass on the Olympic flame January 30 in Louisville, Colorado. The son of a hospital administrator, John began his career in healthcare more than two decades ago. Today, he is well known for his vision of what Christian healthcare can do for the world.

"Being a part of the healing ministry of Christ and the unique brand of Adventist healthcare is more than a job to me–it's my calling," he says. I know the power of healing that comes through caregivers who themselves are carrying out a ministry."

Sackett (pictured left) established the Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville, Colorado ten years ago. Afflicted since birth with cystic fibrosis, he lives with the reality of the life-limiting aspects of the disease. Despite this, Sackett faces life with his own brand of optimism, intentionality, and spirit. "I know the value of each day," he says. "Because of that, I live and appreciate life more than most folks do."

Cheered on by family, friends, and many in the community, Sackett will run his two-tenths of a mile near his hometown of Louisville. "For me, just being able to live life and touch the lives of others is a great blessing," Sackett said. That's a gold medal for me."

ADRA Helps Afghan Refugees on Tajikistan Border
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) has provided winter clothing to 2,000 refugees along the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Afghani refugees have gathered on islands in the Pyanj River which is the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Considered neutral territory, these previously uninhabited islands have no names and are known by the numbers of the closest border guard station. ADRA distributed 2,000 sets of clothing on Island #13. Each set included a shirt, two warm sweaters, a skirt or trousers, and a warm jacket.

ADRA staff reports from the area say refugees are not well prepared for winter. Many lack shoes, socks, and blankets. They are building temporary shelters with whatever materials they can find, primarily clay, sticks, and stones. There are about 800 children among the refugees on the island.

According to Frank Teeuwen, Bureau Chief for Disaster Preparedness and Response for ADRA International, the agency shipped seven containers of donated goods to the region. The used clothing is appropriate for winter in mountainous Central Asia and has been cleaned and fumigated. ADRA coordinated its relief efforts with other non-governmental organizations in order to avoid duplication of services.

Drought has plagued the region for three years. Several million people in Afghanistan are on the brink of starvation. The country has had the world's lowest per-person caloric intake and highest maternal mortality rate in the world.

Afghanistan is slightly larger that the Iberian Peninsula that is shared by Spain and Portugal. Tajikistan is a mountainous country slightly larger than England. Mountain winter temperatures are often as low as ­50 degrees Fahrenheit (-45 degrees Centigrade) and heavy snow closes mountain passes five months of the year.

Youth Bring the Gospel to One Million Homes
The Southern Union Conference, headquartered in Decatur, Georgia, is experiencing a revival in literature ministry among its youth and young adults. "I've been involved in literature ministry for 33 years and this is one of the most exciting things I have seen in North America," says Bill Beckworth, publishing director for the Union, referring to the dynamic and exciting literature program first started in the summer of 2001.

Two hundred and forty-seven students came together last summer to work as literature evangelists, student leaders, or Bible workers. They canvassed entire communities, knocking on doors, and offering a variety of books, including Great Controversy and Steps to Christ. These contacts were followed up by students who began personal Bible studies in the home if an interest was expressed. In addition, students were able to earn tuition credit toward their next school year's expenses.

The impact of these youth on their community was enormous. One individual wrote: "I want to let you know how impressed we were . . . We felt we had been visited by an angel." By the conclusion of the summer program, students had knocked on one million doors, placed more than 110,000 books, and started Bible studies with more than 1,000 persons.

While the program enabled students to continue their Christian education by contributing more than one-half million dollars toward tuition costs, many students indicated that the greater impact of the summer program had been their personal Christian growth.

Student literature evangelism programs now exist on the campus of Southern Adventist University, as well as at Bass Memorial, Highland, and Forest Lake academies.

News Notes

Don Sahly, director of leadership education for the General Conference, recently accepted the invitation to become president of Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas. He will assume his full responsibilities early in the spring semester.

Gary G. Irish, Chief Operating Officer of Littleton Adventist Hospital and Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver, Colorado, was appointed president and CEO for South Coast Medical Center, a 210-bed facility located in Laguna Beach, California. Irish will assume his position January 14, 2002.

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