February 19, 2012  
 
The Atlantic Union's Bold, New Vision for an Evangelistic Training School 

Founders HallThe Atlantic Union Conference Executive Committee at its February 16, 2012 meeting approved in principle a proposal for the development of an evangelistic and gospel medical missionary training school. NETS or Northeast Evangelism Training School is envisioned as a non-accredited diploma pastoral and lay training institute conducted on the campus of Atlantic Union College to equip each student to become an effective soul-winning witness for Jesus.

 

NETS will offer short-term intensives for pastors during each calendar year by the most outstanding soul winners and church growth specialists in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. NETS will offer a six- and nine-month evangelistic medical missionary training course for lay people who desire further instruction on how to win souls in their local churches. Students will be taught how to follow the example of Jesus in meeting the needs of those they minister to, ultimately leading them to a saving knowledge of Christ and His last-day message.

 

While being provided with the highest quality education in soul winning, students will also have the opportunity to be "mentored" with "hands on" practice under the tutelage of experienced and successful evangelistic instructors.

 

Ellen G. White wrote many years ago, "We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need of an awakening, that they may realize their responsibility to impart these truths" (Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 62).

 

The cost of operating NETS will be fairly low, since most of the instructors will be contract teachers and/or current church employees. A business plan, including a marketing/enrollment plan is being developed to ascertain financial feasibility.

 

NETS will be governed by the Atlantic Union Conference in cooperation and consultation with the North American Division and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Eventually, it would have the possibility of expanding into a world-class international city evangelistic training school and lay training medical missionary center.

 

The evangelistic endeavors conducted by instructors and students throughout the northeast will foster the growth of local Adventist churches. Students flooding into churches in New England, New York, and Bermuda from NETS will breathe new life into congregations. Pastors attending NETS short-term intensives will return to their congregations refreshed with a new vision. With a new workforce of lay people, trained and equipped to witness for their Lord, the church in the Atlantic Union will grow rapidly. Souls will be won for the kingdom of God.

 

God's prophetic messenger to the remnant gives us this assurance. "There is no change in the messages that God has sent in the past. The work in the cities is the essential work for this time. When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed" (Medical Ministry, p. 304). This promise of our Lord will be fulfilled before His return.

    

Multitudes in the great cities and rural areas of the Atlantic Union territory will be reached with the Three Angels' Messages. The coming of our Lord will be hastened. The opportunity lies before us. The time is now to make a courageous decision to dream God's dreams and do something significant for His cause. As Jesus said 2000 years ago, it is time to launch out into the deep and cast out the NETS!

 

Donald G. King, president, Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Members, Atlantic Union Conference Executive Committee

Update on Atlantic Union College as of
February 16, 2012

Late last year, the Atlantic Union College (AUC) Board of Trustees (BOT) voted to submit an application to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) for the reestablishment of degree-granting authority at Atlantic Union College. This was done after its accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) was discontinued for financial reasons in July 2011.

After meeting with the DHE and a deadline was given to AUC of January 1, 2013, to submit the application, the BOT approved two programs: (1) Theology-to train students in theology and pastoral ministry to serve in local churches throughout the union territory, and (2) Health Science/Biology-because of AUC's prior outstanding track record in health and biological science programs, including nursing.

Gina Brown, Ph.D., a Maryland educator, was hired as an administrative consultant to spearhead the application process, which was completed well before the January 1 deadline. The application process with the DHE is expected to take several months.

A part of the application process included the completion of the financial audit for the 2010-2011 school year. This too, was completed and submitted prior to the deadline. The external auditor reported an unqualified (the best type) status for the audit.

The continuation of studies for former regular students has been meticulously cared for through teach-out agreements with other Adventists colleges and universities. Nursing students are taught-out through Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Massachusetts.

AUC's Adult Degree Program (ADP) students are cared for through Southwestern Adventist University, reports Barbara Fuller, ADP director.

Arrangements have been made through the Atlantic Union Conference Office of Education for teachers in all six conferences of the Atlantic Union to receive their certifications through Andrews University. The arrangement will be assessed after one year. Prior to this arrangement, teachers in the Atlantic Union schools were certified at Atlantic Union College.

For updates on AUC, you may refer to its Web site: www.auc.edu.

Donald G. King, president, Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and chairman of the Atlantic Union College Inc., Board of Trustees. 
 

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In This Issue
Evangelism Training School
Update on AUC - February 16

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Gleaner 
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What's Ahead

  

February  
17-19: NYC North Country Snow Weekend
19-22: NEC 30th Departmental Convention

  

March
3: NAD Women's Day of Prayer
10: Monthly Deaf Bible Study - Boston Temple
10: NEC Women's Day of Prayer
4-10: NAD Adventist Youth Week of Prayer
7-11: JCI 
16-17: NNEC Righteousness by Faith Rally
17: NAD Disabilities Awareness Sabbath
17: Edward D Herndon Memorial Concert
24: Northboro Church Deaf Day
29-31: NNEC Music Clinic 
30-Apr. 1: Festival of the Laity SEEDS Conference
31: Friend Day - Worcester Airport Drive Church

April 14: Monthly Deaf Bible Study - Norwich Church
19-23: AUC Alumni Weekend
20-21: NNEC Righteousness by Faith Rally

May

2-5: Atlantic Union Music Clinic - Bermuda

August
5-8: NAD Teachers Convention
8-11: ASI Convention
30-Sept.: Deaf Camp

October
18-20: Society of Adventist Communicators Convention  
Conferences



Links

 

Atlantic Union College Updates

*  General Conference

*  North American Division 

*  Adventist News Network  

 

 


About Atlantic Union Conference
Founded in 1901, the Atlantic Union Conference is the headquarters for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the northeast United States and the islands of Bermuda. It serves six conferences, more than 107,124 members who worship in 568 churches and 59 groups, 63 schools, one health care facility, and numerous community based ministries.

The Atlantic Union Gleaner FYI is a news and information bulletin produced by the Communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Atlantic Union Conference. You are free to reprint any portion of the bulletin without the need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify Atlantic Union Gleaner FYI whenever you publish these materials.

Ednor A. P. Davison, communication director/editor
Joanne Cort�s, Communication Office Assistant 
Web site: www.atlantic-union.org           E-mail: [email protected]