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Directory of Former
Information requested as applicable:
Names Listed alphabetically: Baker, Skip
& Linda Dee Position: We both worked at the Review & Herald Publishing Association back in the mid 1970s. Linda then worked for the head Lawyer at the General Conference when I was the photographer at the Review. In 1980 we took a call to work in California at the Adventist Media Center where I worked as the still photographer and Linda worked for the President of the Simi Valley Adventist Hospital out there out there in California. But by 1980 we had read Des Ford’s thousand page book on his defense for the Glacier View camp, and we could see the light that Adventism was rejecting the Holy Spirit’s call to truth, so along with others we added our voice to the decent on the west coast. By 1984 we were untangled from Adventism and free in the face of the gospel., having lost our earthly possessions for the truth of that gospel. It was amazing to see how many ministers were doing the same thing at the time. True Men of the Cloth lost everything including their retirement rather than to go against that gospel, while others who were pretend preachers stayed in for the money, truly they have their reward. It was the old ones who were so near retirement who lost so much. Called in and forced to swear allegiance to Ellen White rather than to Jesus Christ they were forced to make a decision for or against Christ that few ever are faced with in our lifetimes. Or are we all faced with it everyday? As one former pastor has stated here he feels that if Christ Himself were to come down to try to correct Adventism his words would fall on deaf ears. I can’t help but feel the same way for no amount of argument can fight against the words of a false prophet that is firmly in control of her church from the grave. It’s an amazing thing to see. Cales, Paul grosfader@cox.net Position: Pastor, Colorado Conference Evangelist 1948-1950. Attended Emmanuel Missionary College, 1941-1945 Ordained in Loveland, CO at camp meeting, 1948. I was kicked out in 1969. I tried to go back to the fundamentals of SDAdventism, attended John Osborn's 'campmeeting' in Santa Rosa twice. I was appalled at his 'ordaining' ministers, at the overt pursuit of "perfection" in this life, and the obvious lack of sincerity and interest in the truth-seeking individual. Those chaps were on a power trip, and they did, indeed, trip . . . flat on their faces. It was at that meeting, as I meditated in the back row . . . yes, backslider's row . . . the Holy Spirit spoke to me and set me on the right track. Those who believe are not judged [John 3:18] Those who do not believe are already judged. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus [Rom. 8] We are not saved by doctrine; we are saved by the death of
Jesus Christ who died for our sins. We will never be perfect in this life. The
Holy Spirit does work in our lives in a wonderful way to mold us to His Will,
but our righteousness is as filthy rags. Salvation is a free gift. There is
nothing we can do to earn it. Don't be a disciple of men. I'm not any kind of an
"ite", a follower of men . . . I meet with believers when possible, but I am led
by His Spirit, and it is wondrous indeed what understanding comes when one
doesn't try to figure it all out by himself. Fischer, Dennis J. dennisfischer@neb.rr.com Lincoln, Nebraska USA Position: Associate Publishing Director, Carolina Conference (licensed minister) I Left the SDA Church 2000. Reasons for leaving: Updated 2007 Beyond Adventism I left due to theological considerations after more than forty years as devout SDA.. I am an active member of First Evangelical Free Church; Lincoln, Nebraska and currently a Business Owner. Dennis J. Fischer
Kelly, Russell Earl
russkellyphd@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~russkellyphd/id29.html Position: Pastor: Dakota Conference, 1976-79 and Carolina Conference, 1980-81 Education: Southern Missionary College, 1976 grad Kuykendall,
Rick
rkuykendall@minister.com
Lenkume, Julius jolelenkume@yahoo.com
Position: Pastor: Kenya East Africa Reasons for leaving: Disfellowshipped because of doctrinal differences. I am 30 yrs old. (2005). I am from Kenya East Africa. I first join the SDA Church in 1985. In 1992 I was disfellowshipped because of doctrinal differences. Such as contemporary worship and some of the teaching of Ellen White such as the 1844 Investigative Judgment. I was not alone in rejecting these doctrines. We founded the Church of God Massai Mission in 1993. We preach the gospel and the Bible only. To date we have 8 churches and two hundred members our vision is new daily by God's help. We saw our ministry as a grace place to those oppressed and bound by men's tradition. We love the SDA Church members but not their teaching. We extend our fellowship to all Christian without compromising the truth we hold.
Thank you.
Puciata,Walt birdinhand55@sbcglobal.net
University attended. Andrews University 1983-1986 SDA Position held and Conference. Intern minister, Indiana Conference Year of leaving the church. 1989 Reasons for leaving: In
a nut shell, as I look back on it, I did not have the real "makings" of an
SDA pastor, for I had not the heritage and upbringing that many of the
successful ones do (of course, success is relative, in terms of spiritual
progress, I guess). I was raised in quite a dysfunctional and emotionally
abusive home but the way our minds are designed, in order to cope, much of
what we suffer as children gets repressed and becomes unconscious. But at
about the age of 30, as I was nearing graduation from seminary, the Lord
had begun to reveal to me how what I experienced as a child had effected
myself esteem and ability to enjoy healthy relationships. In order to
function and have any sort of effective ministry at that point, I decided
that it would be good to approach Scripture from my own need for healing
and then bring from what I learned, insights for others who no doubt had
had less than ideal experiences as children. Though some folk expressed
appreciation for the things I was trying to minister to, this approach was
not well received by most of the patriarchs, matriarchs and church
administrators and I was eventually advised to take a leave of absence.
However, before I did, I had injured my wrist roller skating with some
church youth and a year or so later discovered that I had actually broken
the navicular bone in my wrist and needed to have surgery. By then I had
just begun to establish a painting contracting business and was doing all
of the work myself. The Indiana Conference fought my Workers Compensation
claim, the local church I was by then a part of, in California, wouldn't
intervene and I was forced to apply for welfare and food stamps. I stopped
going to church regularly and a friend from this local congregation came
by to show me a local newspaper ad that was inviting all former and/ or
grieving Adventists to a meeting where the Northern CA Conference
president would answer questions. I went and stood up to explain what had
happened to me and sat down to listen to his response. He said "Sometimes
the church must make business decisions." While he was explaining this, a
wave of urgency rushed over me to get up and walk out. I never again set
foot in an Adventist church. I sometimes go to a non
denominational church down the street.
In 1992/93, I wrote a daily reflection manuscript which is still
unpublished. It is entitled Restoring the Years.
It is of the Hazelton format, daily meditations/ reflections for those
whose biological family or origin traumas caused them to look for and
become enmeshed in another spiritual "family" that matched their parental
experience.
Slattery, Wallace D.
E-mail: Tashonka@msn.com
Author: Are
Seventh-day Adventists False Prophets?
Church Employment: I worked
for the cult as a church school principal from 1973 through 1983.
Testimony: Seventh-day
Adventist from birth to age 43. I first became aware there were problems
with Adventist teaching and history in the middle 1970's. I finally
contacted Walter Rea in August 1980; what he showed me shattered a lifetime
of teachings. I slowly and carefully studied my way out of Adventism in
1983-84, taking my entire family with me. Can I help you in any way?
Wallace Slattery
Taylor, Greg
gregt@pngusa.net
www.oneflockministries.org Be sure to read Pastor Greg
Taylor's "An Open Letter to Our Friends and Family". He tells of his and his
wife's journey out of Adventism. It is most moving. See also the appendix as
it deals with the relevance of the Sabbath.
Greetings Robert,
I was a pastor for the SDA church for over 20
years counting my Seminary sponsorship. We left Adventism purely over
the New Covenant. We became convinced through the study of the New
Testament scriptures, that the old covenant Sabbath is not required for post
cross Christians. We have a deep heart for the SDA church and pray that
the message of the book of Galatians will truly be taken to heart. The
blessings that come from such study are worth all the rejection that one might
receive at the hands of those locked into the old covenant.
We are currently serving in a church plant in
Hagerstown MD. We are so blessed to be part of the greater Christian community
and the revival/renewal movement that is sweeping through churches across
denominational lines!
We are so glad that Christ has set us free to live
by the spirit and not by the letter any more.
Greg Taylor
Vogt, Paul & Rhonda White, Paul A. Jr.
ucanb@aol.com Mr. Sanders:
I would request that you upload
all contents of my testimony as I would not want my testimony to be
misconstrued.
My Testimony:
My name is Paul A. White, Jr. I was raised in the Seventh-Day-Adventist
Church. I was and have been up until my exit from the church a member of
the Berea-Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts. I have
been blessed by God with a musical talent and I readily lent my abilities to
the church’s musical program. To make a long story shorter, I attended
elementary, academy and college at
AUC with a year abroad in
Collonges. I always felt there was
something wrong. During Sabbath school class, I would question our
teachers as to the validity of their instruction which would usually have a
response of “just listen and don’t be disruptive”. Adventists have
always had way of in intimidation through physical and authoritative
overpowering. Being African-American, there were so many things that
were forbidden due to the dogmas set by the church. I fully understand
these dogmas now. The founding administration of the
SDA Church was for the most part represented European-Americans
establishing themselves during an era closely following the civil war.
Therefore, the cultural influence was set by European standards. It was
interesting that the congregation at Berea
SDA Church and many other
SDA Churches within the Northeastern
Conference were made up of congregations of color representing 98-99% African
descent. Due to conditions fueled by their own self-hatred and quests
for acceptance by their white counterparts felt an overwhelming sense of pride
to experience a member of color who could assimilate a
Eurocentric musical performance. An
overwhelming percentage of Caribbean-Adventist represented within the
SDA Church further ignites this quest for
European acceptance in consideration that these individuals in their native
islands were British subjects where the oppressed tends to assimilate their
oppressor in search of self-recognition. For this reason, I believe the
majority of recognized Adventist Musicians are overwhelmingly of European
classical standards. I readily admit that due to my quest for acceptance
and recognition I pushed myself in European direction. I am not by any
means stating that there is something wrong with the
Eurocentric musical thought, I merely introduce to the discussion the
near absence of African Cultural Influence within the church. I am so
happy to be rid of these dogmas. I challenge the
SDA Church to publish a list of accomplished artists who are currently
attending members of the Church in good and regular standing. They could
possibly submit a list of “former” Adventists. It is a travesty that
these doctrines kill the creative artistic spirit in young, aspiring minds
within the church. Where are the dancers, the Jazz musicians, the R&B
musicians, the athletes, the reggae
artists, the actors, the secular writers etc.? Where? The majority
of Adventists is found in two professional areas. Medical science and
education. This is a direct result of the
SDA curricular agenda. The Adventists
are now so determined to follow their monies that they will not entertain any
situation that questions their validity. The day that I sent my
resignation of membership to the Administrative Board of the Berea
SDA Church, I could then imagine how
African-Americans felt upon the freedom from slavery. Possibly, some of
the Adventists of color would have opted to stay in consideration of their
disdain for Afrocentric related culture and
freedom of thought. Sadly, this sentiment is still existent today within
the
SDA Church where we currently live in a
society that is trying to diversify itself to represent all forms of art and
culture. Adventist Colleges should lose their accreditation if they do
not offer all forms of artistic culture and freedom of thought which
represents American Society. They should receive no federal assistance
or academic recognition if their Institutions of Learning are aligned with a
racist, unfounded thought process which suppresses talent and natural ability.
What really is upsetting are the active Adventists who bring to the forefront
these questions but are too afraid to walk away and answer their true calling
because the money’s good and retirement benefits are coming into view. I
guess my real beef with the SDA Church is it’s disregard for African-American
Culture and its embracing of all things Eurocentric. How completely
foolish. I really wonder if God is pleased or if He just understands
their ignorance and renders pity.
As for the controversy surrounding Mrs.
White, we now know that she is invalid but we need to take a closer look at
the circumstances which may have led to her fallacies. Let’s look at
those individuals who may have been the “real” masterminds behind her lies and
deceit for their own personal gain. The Adventist Church is not a place
for any progressive, free thinking creative, artistic person. It will
create a cage for them so they can flutter but can’t fly. Shame on an
organization that grants free reign to those who tow the line on its
suppressing dogmas. Christ said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you”. Remember, “not as
the world giveth” and in my opinion, the Adventist World is not a peace
and never has been a peace. And, for those who opt to remain within the
Adventist Community, I sincerely wish you God’s Speed. I wish you His
Peace and His Love.
The above represents my personal
thoughts,
Paul A. White, Jr.
Willey, Wayne I am Pastor of the Seventh-day
Christian Church,
P.O. Box 2759, Nakuru 20100, Kenya. East Africa Cellphone: +254 722 816 309 Land line: +254 51 221 5417 Okello Valentine valokel@yahoo.com Bachelor of Theology. Former SDA District Leader Kikajjo, District of SDA.
The journey out of the Adventist Church has taken me a good
3 years, but it culminated this year, 2003. I joined the SDA Church in
1983, and became a concervative Adventist, the hard core legalistic types
as they come, who read the Voice of Prophecy books and regarded them
almost at par with the Word of God.
My turning point started when I started reading writers
like Venden, Jack Sequira and the like who opened my minds to
righteousness by faith. This was in 1995 when I had been appointed
as Associate District Pastor which took place in 1993. I was later
in 1995 appointed District Pastor, a position I held until 1998, when I
left for Bugema SDA University, to peruse a Bachelor's degree in Theology
where I was recently suspended while remaining with only 18 credit hours
to finish the course having struggled on my own to raise the fees for my
studies, save for the 2 quarters when a well wisher paid part of it. The suspension was due to my gospel convictions as opposed
to the teachings of E.G. White and my associations with Life Assurance
Ministries.
Well, with the influence of the Gospel being revealed to
me, the tone of my sermons in evangelistic efforts began to change
direction towards salvation by grace through faith. But what continued to
disturb my conscious was the the fact that while my fellow evangelists and
myself never at any one time mentioned the name of White nor her teachings
by directly quoting from her writings, in our series, she was
nevertheless a cardinal point as a testing truth, directly a condition for
baptism come the time for administration of baptismal vows. I
continued to note this as sinister, tricky and clandestine.
With my joining the university in 1998, I had the
opportunity to be exposed to a fairly well stocked library and fairly well
balanced professors and an opportunity to read the writings of Desmond
Ford who opened my eyes further in the direction of the simple gospel of
salvation.
I now had the opportunity and the ability to examine the
teachings of White in the light of the gospel and always found myself in a
theological catastrophe and most of my professors supplied my curiosity
and those who attempted only threw so many threats of denominational woes
that would befall any who ventured along those lines of inquiry.
This made me very suspicious and sharpened my curiosity further so I
continued to study myself out of the church as one brother once commented.
Another reason that finally added to my leaving the SDA
Church is the brutal unchristian nature in which they treated those who
got problems with the ecclesiastical leaders. Their method is more
vengeful than redemptive.
Mukiibi Ivan Israel:
Mukiibi@dr.comFormer District leader Kyetume, SDA District Christopher Ddamulira:
-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Nsubuga [mailto:nsudan@africamail.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 11:49 AM To: Robert K. Sanders Subject: RE: Your brother in a sure blessed Hope Robert, Thanks for the interest you have shown in us. I am just sorry for not replying in time it was all due the time difference. I was doing an in service degree in Theology at Bugema Unversity. I stopped SDA service voluntarily though later on the leadership lied that they fired me because I never believed in the spirit of Prophecy and we neglected giving due respect to Sabbath which is the identity of SDAs. The University never allowed us to continue because we do not believe in all the 27 Fundamental beliefs of SDA yet we are training for ministry and serving ministers. I had however attended the SDA Bible school which was at Katikamu now at Kireka, which offers diplomas in ministerial service. Okello and Mukiibi have been also stopped from completing their degrees and they had only two months to finish. Ddamulira and Luswata hold their degrees because they had finished. All at Bugema University. In Uganda the work is being done by untrained ministers as they have no question about the doctrine. They just pick on an elder and give them a church and later ordain them for the ministry. They say they have had enough disappointment from scholars. And they do not plan to use trained pastors except those who have gone thru their own Bible college where they feed the pastors in training to EGW and the remnant motif all the time. When we left, they quickly picked elders to replace us, and not brilliant degree holders in Theology which should be important, but they question the SDA Doctrines. This is because in the University the training looks at EGW without bias. Churches: In 1996, I was a pastor at Busabaga with six churches. From 1997-2001, I was at Kajjansi with still churches attached to my service. I stopped Mid 2002 when I was Lakeside College Church. The rest of my colleagues have longer service experience in SDA ministry. Since then God has faithfully taken care of me and now its a team of five Pastors, with many who know the Truth but remain, because they work for the church yet. We do not have occupation out here. Once again thank you so much and in your news later thank all those who have helped us both morally and financially in our transition without which life could be so difficult. Yours in a blessed hope Nsubuga Daniel |